Ghana Travel Guide

Foreign nationals of the following countries can enter Ghana for a maximum of 30 days, or for a maximum of 90 days: ECOWAS countries, plus Botswana, Colombia, Dominica, Egypt, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Singapore, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, São Tomé and Príncipe, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The new Ghana cedi, denoted by the symbol "GH₵" (ISO currency code: GHS) was introduced on 1 July 2007 at a rate equal to 10,000 old cedis. When it was introduced, it was the highest-valued currency unit issued by a sovereign African country.

By plane

The domestic air transportation scene in Ghana is very dynamic and appears to go through regular changes. As of 2019 there are only two registered carriers: Passion Air serving Accra, Kumasi & Tamale, and Africa World Airlines who serve the same centres in addition to Takoradi. All aircraft are of a high standard, as is the service level of airline staff, flights run on time and are reasonably priced. There are no scheduled services to Sunyani or Obuasi.

English is both the official language and the lingua franca between Ghana's many peoples. English speakers will have no trouble communicating their needs anywhere in the country; Ghanaians usually speak English quite fluently, albeit with a strong accent and some quirks. Official government documents are in English, but there are over 40 distinct languages spoken in Ghana including Twi/Fante in the Ashanti and Fante regions, Akuapem/Krobo in eastern Ghana, Ga in Greater Accra, Ewe east of Lake V…

The standard emergency number for police, fire and ambulance is 112. Ghana is a very safe, stable country with relatively low crime levels compared to other West African countries. Take sensible precautions but be assured it is quite safe.

Chloroquine-resistant malaria is widespread and you must take sufficient malaria protection including mosquito avoidance, mosquito repellants, and chemical prophylaxis. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into the country.

Telephone and postal services can be unreliable within Ghana itself but international post, at least to and from Accra is reasonably reliable (approx a week either way to the UK for example). Ghana Telecom (later re-branded Vodafone) is the most widespread landline phone company, but is not yet entirely reliable or widespread. There are three voice-and-data mobile network operators operating in the country commercially: MTN, Telecel, and AT. MTN and Telecel have 2G GSM (including EDGE), 3G UMTS…

Do try to pick up on respectful practice (such as not eating or offering with your left hand), but in general Ghanaians are quite accepting of tourists getting it wrong. Greetings are very important. Ghanaians are not forgiving of people who do not take time to greet others. Sometimes greetings come in the form of a salute accompanied by a "good morning" or "good afternoon". The expected response is the same (a salute with a "good morning or afternoon"). Inquiring how the person is doing is also a good idea.