Organize your stay Ghana
Money Ghana
Since independence in 1957, Ghana's currency has been the Ghanaian cedi (GHC or GHS). One hundred pesewas (100 p) make one cedi. The value of the Ghanaian currency has fallen sharply, mainly due to inflation, which has had a severe impact on the Ghanaian economy since 2022. The exchange rate in July 2023 was 1 € = 12.49 GHC (5.64 GHC in February 2018) - 100 GHC = 8 €.
Budget & Tips Ghana
The cost of living in Ghana is relatively high, especially given the low incomes of the population. Food bought in the markets will be much cheaper than restaurant or hotel services. You should be aware that prices for foreigners and Ghanaians are not the same. You have to accept paying more, even if you have to be careful not to pay "too much".
A cab ride in town will cost from €2 to €5/7, a tro-tro ride from 50 cents to €1.50.
A handful of bananas at a market will cost 25 centimes, a pineapple 1 €.
A drink in a bar should cost €1 or €2, a basic meal around €5.
Nights in a hotel will rarely cost less than €15/20; in Accra, it will often be from €50/60.
Budget. For a day trip, plan on a low budget: €35 to €70. Medium budget: €90 (add €100 for car rental). Big budget: €300 (with car and driver).
Banks and currency exchange. Euros, like CFA francs, can be easily exchanged in banks, Forex bureaux (exchange offices) found everywhere in major cities and at border crossings, as well as in major hotels. Dollars are even easier to exchange. Exchange only at official Forex bureaux and major hotels; never exchange outside official places. And always count the amount of money before leaving the office.
Credit cards. Visa credit cards are accepted in ATMs, department stores and hotels. But be careful! Master Card and other cards are rarely accepted. In mid-range hotels, euros are rarely available. There are no restrictions on the amount of currency you can bring into Ghana, as long as you declare it on arrival. Keep your receipts for inspection on leaving the country.
If you have a bank card (Visa, etc.), there's no need to bring large sums in cash. If your card is not accepted by the merchant, simply go to an ATM. Simply take care to subscribe to an international option for your CB with your bank to avoid commissions.
In the event of loss or theft of your card abroad, your bank will offer you appropriate solutions to ensure that you can continue your stay in peace. Before you leave, make a note of the assistance number on the back of your bank card or available on the Internet. This service is available 24/7. In the event of a stop payment, this is immediately confirmed as soon as you can provide your bank card number.
Passport and visas Ghana
A visa is required to travel to Ghana, whether for business or pleasure. It must be obtained before departure, and is not issued at the border or airport, except for nationals of African Union member states.
It takes at least five working days to obtain it from the embassy. The cost depends on the length of your stay and the time required to issue it. A one-month visa costs €50 (including consular fees) if issued in 5 working days, €140 in three working days, €250 in 24 hours. To complete your file, you need to send your passport, an international yellow fever vaccination certificate (to be obtained from a vaccination center), a copy of your Covid19 vaccination schedule (which must be complete according to WHO criteria), 2 passport photos, your airline ticket references and the address of your place of stay in Ghana, whether in a hotel or with friends. If you're staying with friends, you'll probably be asked to provide a letter from them stating that they'll be putting you up. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your return.
Driver's license Ghana
During a tourist stay in Ghana, it is possible to drive with an international license issued in France.
Health Ghana
Here are the main diseases present in Ghana:
Bilharzia. Bilharzia is the tropical disease with the highest mortality rate after malaria (200 million people worldwide). After an incubation period ranging from three weeks to six months, the disease manifests itself through high fevers, blood in the urine and allergic skin reactions. The best prevention is to limit contact with unsalted stagnant water. Once detected, bilharzia is easily treated.
Yellow fever. Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical regions. After a week's incubation, the disease causes fever, chills and headaches. In the most severe cases, a hemorrhagic syndrome characterized by vomiting of blackish blood, jaundice and kidney problems develops after several days. There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, other than bed rest and medication to combat the symptoms. To enter Ghana, vaccination against yellow fever is required by the country's authorities. You need to be vaccinated at an international vaccination center, and obtain an international certificate to submit with your visa application. You will probably be asked to present this (yellow) vaccination booklet on arrival at the airport.
Hepatitis A. For hepatitis A, prior immunity makes vaccination unnecessary. It is common if you have a history of jaundice, have spent a long time abroad or are over 45. Hepatitis A is usually benign, but it can be serious, particularly over the age of 45 and in cases of pre-existing liver disease. It can be caught through water or poorly washed food. If you have liver disease, vaccination against hepatitis A is highly recommended before any trip where hygiene is precarious. The first injection, one month before departure, is enough to protect you for a short trip. The second injection (six months to a year later) reinforces immunity for decades.
Hepatitis B. High risk in the country. Hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A. It is contracted through sexual intercourse or blood. The hepatitis B vaccine is given in two doses, one month apart (although accelerated one-month vaccinations are available for travellers in a hurry), followed by a booster six months later to reinforce the duration of protection.
Malaria. Malaria is also known as malaria. If you're travelling through a malaria-transmitting country (especially Africa, but also all humid and/or equatorial zones), consult your doctor about the appropriate preventive treatment: it differs according to the region, the period of travel and the person concerned. Avoiding treatment is possible if your stay is less than seven days (and provided you are able to consult a doctor in the event of fever within a month of your return) In addition to pills, reduce the risk of contracting malaria by avoiding mosquito bites (repellent and covering clothing). The risk of being bitten is highest between sunset and sunrise, near stagnant water and shady areas.
Mandatory vaccination Ghana
Proof of vaccination against yellow fever (a vaccine is now valid for life) and a complete vaccination schedule (according to WHO criteria) against Covid19 are compulsory for travel to Ghana. As regulations concerning the coronavirus are likely to evolve, check with the Ghanaian consular services before you leave.
First-aid kit. Common medicines are available in local pharmacies (avoid medicines sold outside pharmacies, e.g. in markets), but it's best to prepare your own first-aid kit before you leave. The essentials are paracetamol (in these parts of the world, avoid aspirin, which can cause fatal hemorrhagic fever in the event of dengue infection), antidiarrheals, antibiotics (for diarrhea, lung, ENT and skin infections), an antiallergenic and everything you need to protect yourself from insect bites. Sun protection for lips and skin is essential. Adhesive bandages and disinfectant may also be useful.
Security Ghana
Ghana is a relatively safe country, especially for an African country. However, petty crime is rife, particularly in the form of a number of tourist scams: bogus cab drivers (choose your own and don't let anything be imposed on you), black money exchange offers and bogus guides. So be careful.
Be equally cautious when you feel you're entering a segregated slum-like area. Sometimes it's better to retrace your steps than to tempt the devil. In the evening, it's better to take a cab than to walk the city streets.
Police corruption, especially on the roads, is a problem, and on some occasions it will be difficult to avoid paying baksheesh. Never get ahead of a policeman, however, and wait until you are specifically asked for money; you could be put in even greater jeopardy for bribing a public official.
The driving style of Ghanaians can be very dangerous, so be vigilant and avoid driving at night. You can't see the potholes, and some people drive fast without headlights...
Solicitations to buy trinkets or take a guide can be annoying. In any case, be prepared to remain zen and refuse politely without closing yourself off to communication. Talking is always better than saying nothing, which could be taken the wrong way.
Resentment towards white people can sometimes be felt in Ghana. Be prepared not to be always appreciated a priori, to be patient in the face of certain attitudes (and cries of " Obroni ", "foreigner", often stigmatizing the arrival of a white person somewhere), as well as to be open to hearing reproaches concerning colonization and slavery. Here again, getting out in front of the communication, talking and not closing yourself off can be a plus.
There are few wild animals in Ghana, but be careful of insects (especially malaria) and snakes.
Never bathe in lakes or freshwater because of bilharzia.
For the latest information on local safety, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie. gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, and that this sometimes gives a rather alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
Time difference Ghana
The Greenwich meridian passes through the port city of Tema, so Ghana is in the same time zone as Great Britain (GMT). There is very little time difference between Ghana and France. To set your watch on arrival in Accra, allow :
- 2 hours during summer time in France. Example: 8am in Accra, 10am in Paris.
- 1 hour during winter time in France. Example: 7am in Accra, 8am in Paris.
Spoken languages Ghana
English, a former colonial language, is the official language of Ghana. It is the written and academic language; it is also the language of communication between the various indigenous peoples of Ghana.
Twi, sometimes written as Chwi, an Akan language (spoken by the dominant Ashanti ethnic group), is almost as widely spoken as English, and is a language of communication even for non-native Ghanaians. There is a written version of Twi, in Latin characters, but it is not widely used. English is never the only mother tongue of Ghanaians. In all, some forty indigenous languages are spoken in Ghana. Some of these are state-subsidized (i.e. recognized and eligible for funding).
In Accra, Ga (a Kwa language), Dangbe and Twi are spoken. On the coast, Fante is spoken around Cape Coast and Nzema in the west (Akan languages like Twi); in Ashanti country, the mother tongue is Twi. In the Lake Volta region, the main languages are Ewe, Adangme (a Kwa language) and Kwahu (an Akan language). In the north, the Dagaaba speak Dagaare; the Dagomba speak Dagbani and the Gonja speak Gonja (a Kwa language). In the north-east, they speak Kasem, a Gur language. In addition, there are some thirty unofficially recognized dialects.
Communication Ghana
Telephone coverage is good in the capital, as well as in the country's main urban centers and all along the coast. In some remote areas of Ghana, however, telephone calls may be impossible. The quality of the Internet network is also good in populated areas, although a little less so than telephone coverage.
Electricity and measurements Ghana
The electrical system in Ghana is generally of the English standard (230 V and 50 MHz), in principle, as variations are possible (and power cuts are frequent). It is recommended to purchase a voltage regulator (UPS) for all sensitive electrical equipment, especially computers and printers. The plugs used are generally the English standard (G) and the old English standard (D). You will need an adapter to the English plugs to be able to connect devices with European type plugs (C). Sometimes the European standard is also available, which is used in French-speaking African countries. Don't forget to buy and leave with a good flashlight, even with candles. The units of measurement are those of the metric system.
Luggage Ghana
Pack light cotton clothing for daytime wear. If you have a business appointment, a suit is a must. And don't forget long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts to avoid mosquito bites. Major hotels will clean your clothes for you. Take along basic medicines and a good flashlight to avoid being surprised by power cuts, which are fairly frequent in Ghana, especially in the north of the country.
Checked baggage. As a general rule, 23 kg of baggage is allowed in the hold for economy class (with the exception of Africa, where most airlines allow 2 x 23 kg), and 30 to 40 kg for first and business class. Some airlines allow two pieces of hold baggage up to a total weight of 40 kg. Please check your ticket before departure for details.
Hand luggage. In economy class, one piece of hand luggage and one accessory (handbag, laptop computer) are allowed, all of which must not exceed 12 kg or 115 cm in size. In first and business class, two pieces of baggage are allowed in the cabin. Liquids and gels are forbidden: only tubes and bottles of 100 ml maximum are tolerated, and then only in a closed transparent plastic bag (20 cm x 20 cm). The only exceptions to this rule are baby food and medicines accompanied by their prescription.
Surplus. When it comes to excess baggage, airlines are now rather strict. While they will sometimes let you off the hook for 1 or 2 kg too much on certain destinations, you won't have any margin on African destinations, as passenger demand is so high! If you travel light, don't be surprised to be accosted several times in the check-in hall by other travellers asking you to take those kilos you're not using. The choice is yours, but this practice is forbidden, especially if you don't know what you're being asked to carry. It's true that once you've exceeded the weight limit, the axe comes down, and it comes down hard: €30 per extra kilo on a long-haul flight with Air France, €120 per extra bag with British Airways.
Note that airlines sometimes offer discounts of 20-30% if you pay for your excess baggage on their website before you get to the airport. If the cost is still too high, you still have the option of sending some of your belongings by post, if the destination allows.
