Travel Guide to Ghana

Recommended Vaccinations

• Yellow Fever - Required (get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel)
• Hepatitis A & B - Strongly recommended
• Typhoid - Recommended for most travellers
• Meningitis - Especially during dry/harmattan season (November-March)
• Rabies - Recommended for extended stays or rural travel
• COVID-19 - Check current requirements at Ghana Health Service

Malaria Prevention

Ghana is in a high-risk malaria zone. Take antimalarial medication (Malarone, doxycycline, or mefloquine), use insect repellent (DEET-based), sleep under treated mosquito nets, and wear long sleeves at dusk. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop a fever.

Water & Food Safety

Drink bottled or filtered water only. Sachet water ("pure water") sold by street vendors is generally safe. Avoid ice in drinks outside hotels. Street food is generally safe when freshly cooked - look for busy stalls with high turnover.

Ghana is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in West Africa and has a strong tradition of peaceful democracy. The Global Peace Index consistently ranks Ghana among the most peaceful nations in Africa.

Safety Tips

• Be aware of pickpocketing in crowded areas like Makola Market (Accra), Kejetia Market (Kumasi), and tro-tro (minibus) stations
• Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, especially Nima, James Town, and Old Fadama in Accra
• Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps (Bolt and Uber operate in Accra)
• Keep copies of your passport, visa, and travel insurance in a separate location
• Don't flash expensive jewellery, phones, or cameras in public
• Be cautious at ATMs, especially at night
• Register with your country's embassy in Accra when travelling for an extended period

Emergency Numbers

Ghana uses the Ghana Cedi (GHS), symbolised as GH₵.

• Banknotes: GH₵1, GH₵2, GH₵5, GH₵10, GH₵20, GH₵50, GH₵100, GH₵200
• Coins: 1 pesewa, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, GH₵1, GH₵2
• ATMs: Widely available in cities (Ecobank, GCB Bank, Stanbic, Standard Chartered). Visa and Mastercard accepted.
• Mobile Money: Extremely popular. MTN MoMo is the most widely used, followed by Vodafone Cash and AirtelTigo Money. Many vendors prefer mobile money over cash.
• Foreign Currency: US dollars, British pounds, and euros accepted at hotels, airlines, and large businesses. Exchange at banks or licensed forex bureaux (avoid street changers).
• Credit Cards: Accepted at upscale hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls in Accra. Carry cash for markets, tro-tros, and small businesses.

Language & Communication

English is the official language and is used in government, education, media, and business. You will have no trouble communicating in English throughout Ghana.

Local languages are widely spoken alongside English:

• Twi (Akan) - Most widely spoken local language, dominant in Accra and Ashanti Region
• Ga - Spoken in Greater Accra, especially by the Ga people
• Ewe - Spoken in the Volta Region
• Dagbani - Spoken in the Northern Region
• Fante - Spoken in the Central and Western Regions (Cape Coast area)

Useful Twi phrases:

• Akwaaba - Welcome
• Medaase - Thank you
• Maakye - Good morning
• Maaha - Good afternoon
• Yaa agya - Hello (response to greeting)

Climate & Best Time to Visit

Ghana has a tropical climate with two main seasons:

• Dry Season (November - March): Hot days, cool evenings. Harmattan winds bring dry, dusty conditions from the Sahara. Best time for travel. Temperatures 25-35°C.
• Rainy Season (April - October): Two rainy seasons in the south (April-July and September-October). Single rainy season in the north (May-October). Temperatures 22-32°C.

Best time to visit: November to March (dry season) for general tourism. December-January for festivals (Homowo, Afahye). The coastal areas are pleasant year-round.

Getting to Ghana - Kotoka International Airport

Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra is Ghana's main international gateway, with Terminal 3 (opened 2018) handling international flights.

• Location: About 10 km from Accra city centre
• Airlines: British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines
• Direct flights from: London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi, New York (JFK), Washington Dulles
• Airport to city: Bolt/Uber (GH₵30-50), airport taxis (negotiate fare), hotel shuttles
• Domestic flights: Africa World Airlines and PassionAir connect Accra to Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi

Getting Around Ghana

• Tro-tros: Shared minibuses, the most common and cheapest transport. Destinations called out by the "mate" (conductor).
• STC/VIP buses: Comfortable intercity buses between major cities (Accra-Kumasi, Accra-Cape Coast, Accra-Tamale)
• Taxis: Shared taxis (dropping) and private hire (charter). Negotiate the fare before entering.
• Bolt/Uber: Available in Accra and expanding to Kumasi. Convenient and safer than street taxis.
• Car rental: Available at the airport and in Accra. International driving permit recommended. Drive on the right.