Ghana: Travelling

Entry Requirements

Passport and Visa Service: Ghana Visa Requirements
Diplomatic Missions of Ghana

For Further Information

Check IATA Travel Website for visa requirements and health advices.

Organising Your Trip

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Kotoka International Airport	7 miles/ 12 km	25 min - 1 hour (up to GHS 30, taxis are unmetered)	-	-	-

Major airlines

Name	Type	Domestic Flights	International Flights
Africa World Airlines	Private	Yes	Yes
Fly-Gh	Private	Yes	No
Goldstar Air	Private	Yes	Yes

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Visiting

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: The historic centre of Accra, the neighbourhoods of Usshertown and Jamestown, is characterised by a centuries-old architectural mix, with landmarks such as the Osu Castle from the 17th centurry and the Jamestown Lighthouse.
Ghana's second largest city, Kumasi, is the traditional capital of Asante people, that once ruled a centuries-old kingdom stretching from central Ghana to Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso. Kumasi's traditional landmarks include the 300-year-old fetish sanctuary in Besease, the weaving village of Bonwire Royal Kente and Manhyia Palace.
There is also the Coastal Fanta Kingdom, centred on Mankessim and incorporating the ports of Cape Coast, Elmina, Anomabu Saltpond and Winneba.
Other historic landmarks include: Nzulezu Village, Larabanga Mosque and Posuban Shrines.
Cultural: Some of the major cultural institutions to visit in Ghana include: National Museum, Museum of Science&Technology, Cape Coast Castle Museum, The Museum of Nzema, Elmina Castle Museum, Ussher Fort Museum.
Some of the major Ghanaian festivities include: Aboakyir Festival, Adaakoya Festival, Adae Kese Festival, Agbamevoza Festival, Ahwie Festival and Akwambo Festival
Nature: Ghana has a diverse natural environment ranging from coastal climate to tropical savannah and includes many national parks to visit such as: Kakum National Park, Bia National Park, Digya National Park, Nini Suhien National Park & Ankasa Resources Reserve, Bui National Park, Kyabobo National Park, Mole National Park, Asubima Forest Reserve, Boin Tano Forest Reserve and Ayum Forest Reserve, Wli Watefalls.
Religious: Major religious sites in Ghana include: Larabanga Mosque (one of the oldest mosques in West Africa), Anglican Holy Trinity Cathedral (Accra), St. Francis de Sales Cathedral (Cape Coast), St. Anne's Cathedral in Damongo, Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows
Thermal: None
Beach: Ghana's coast stretches for 560 kilometres (Aflao, Volta Region) to Cape Three Points in the Western Region. Labadi Beach, located in the capital city of Accra, is the most popular beach in Ghana. Other popular beaches include: Anomabo, La Palm Royal, Elmina and Busua.
Winter Sports: None
Outdoor Activities: Some of the major outdoor activities to do in Ghana include: The Green Ranch in Kumasi, Trekking in the Volta Region, Canoeing on Akosombo, Camping at Tills Beach, Climbing Mount Afadjato, Paragliding at Kwahu, Hiking at Shai Hills
Shopping: Some souvenir items to buy while visiting Ghana include: Bolgatanga Baskets, woven kente (Ghana’s national cloth), Asanka bowl, chocolate soap, Akan brass items, fantasy coffins, Fugu shirt (Gonja), Adinkra cloth, Akepeteshie drinks

Tourism Organisations: Ghana Travel Authority

Living Conditions

Health and Safety

Health Precautions: There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Ghana (except for vaccine against yellow fever if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission). Nevertheless, WHO and foreign ministries of various countries recommend the following vaccines before entering Ghana: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions: CDC Health Information for Travelers to Ghana
Ghana Health Advice
For Further Information on Safety Conditions: U.S. Department of State - Ghana Travel Information
Government of Canada - Ghana Travel Advice
OSAC - Ghana Crime and Safety Report
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention - Ghana Health Information
Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Ghana Travel Advice

Emergency Numbers

Police	191
Fire service	192/999
Ambulance	193

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference: It is %T:%M %A In Accra (GMT+0)
Summer Time Period: None

Map of the Time Zone

Time zone

Type of Climate: The climate in Ghana is tropical with a dry season in winter and a rainy season in summer. The country can be divided into four zones based on precipitation and the length of the rainy season. The eastern coast where the capital city Accra is located and the north are the driest parts of the country with annual rainfall ranging from 800mm to 1,000mm. The rainy season is the shortest on the easern coast and lasts from April to June, with a break in July and August. The rainy season lasts from May to September in the north, from April to October in the centre, and from April to November in the south. The south of the country receives the most rainfall at around 1,500mm per year whereas the southwest of the country, the wettest region, receives up to 2,000mm of rainfall.
Hotel reservation websites: Climates of Travel - Ghana
Lonely Planet - Ghana Weather
World Travel Guide - Ghana

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Climate

Eating

Food Specialties: Ghanaian cuisine is characterised by the distribution of food crops including beans, corn, millet, plantain and cassava as well as thick and well-seasoned stews. Millet, yam and corn are more popular in the north whereas cocoyam, plantain and cassava are widely eaten in the south and west. Rice is a staple of the cuisine across the country. Jollof rice, a rice dish prepared with tomato sauce and served with meat or fish and also found in Senegal, is one of the most popular dishes. Waakye, a dish consisting of rice and beans, is also popular and can be eaten for breakfast. Banku, a meal prepared by fermenting corn flour, is common along the coast and mostly served with tilapia, grilled freshwater fish. Fufu, made by pounding a mixture of boiled cassava and plantains into a soft sticky paste, is a staple food not just in Ghana but in most of West Africa. Red Red, a beans stew made with black-eyed peas and usually served with plantain, is also a popular dish.
Drinks: Grain and plant-based drinks are popular throughout Ghana, including: Pito - a fermented millet or sorghum-based beverage, Asana - a fermented corn and sugar-based drink, Brukina - made from cow milk and millet, Sobolo - made from hibiscus leaves as well as ground millet and palm wine.
Dietary Restrictions: Eating with the left hand can be considered as unclean among certain tribes.

Paying

Domestic Currency: Ghanaian Cedi
ISO Code: GHS
To Obtain Domestic Currency: Foreign currency may be exchanged at Forex Bureaus, banks, authorised hotels and at the airport (albeit at worse rates). The US dollar and euro are the most easily convertible currencies.
Possible Means of Payment: ATMs accept foreign cards; however, most are only compatible with Visa. MasterCard is becoming more widely accepted. Barclays Ghana is part of ATM Alliance, allowing owners of most major international cards to withdraw money without commission.

Speaking

Official Language: English
Other Languages Spoken: Asante, Ewe, Fante, Bono (Brong), Dagomba, Dangme, Dagarte (Dagaba), Akyem, Ga , Akuapem
Business Language: English

Useful Resources

To Find a Job: Jobs in Ghana Portal
Job Web Ghana
Ghana Current Jobs

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