Traveling to Ghana
There are currently only about 20 countries that can travel to Ghana visa-free for tourism, the majority located in Western Africa. All other foreign citizens planning to travel to Ghana for tourism purposes are required to obtain an approved tourist visa to do so, either a consular visa or a visa on arrival.
All visitors to Ghana must have a valid passport as well as a visa or entry permit. Exempted are nationals of ECOWAS member countries and other countries with which the Government of Ghana has specific bilateral agreements. The Ghana government can change visa requirements at any time. It is best to use a travel documents service to make sure everything is prepared for your trip. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is also required as part of the entry process.
Applying for a Ghana visa does not come for free. Instead, there are various Ghana visa costs and visa application fees that you must pay. The exact fee can be found at the Ghana embassies/consulates in the traveler's country, and also online.
To prevent yellow fever, all travelers aged 9 months or older should get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel.
Generally, it is advised that all should avoid all non-essential travel to tropical destinations during pregnancy, in particular those with a risk of diseases. Essential travels require that you consult your doctor.
Things you take along should include your documents (passport, visa. tickets, and the like), travel aids (Suitcases, backpack and the like), financial stuff (foreign currency, etc.), appliances (cellphone, charger, and the like), and clothes (dresses, underwear, etc.). Others are toiletries (soap, toothbrush, paste, dental floss, etc.), health stuff (medications, pain reliever, etc), and other necessities for general activities like a swimsuit and big towel, etc.
In order for a mosquito to make contact with skin under clothing, the fabric must be skintight or close fitting, such as yoga pants, lightweight undershirts, or tights. If you're wearing loose clothing made from an impenetrable fabric, mosquitoes won't be able to bite you unless they're able to get into the garment.
Be sure you bring a DEET-based mosquito repellant, as these are difficult to find in Ghana. After extensive testing, the US military has determined that a 35% time-release (micro-encapsulated) formulation offers best coverage with the least side effects.
Security in Ghana
Ghana is relatively safe, although you should consult your guidebooks and forums on the internet before traveling there, since they may help you prepare for suspicious activities, frauds, and petty crime going on in Ghana.
The Forestry Commission (FC) announced a ban on hunting and capturing of wild animals in the country beginning August 1 to December 1, 2019, which is the breeding period. As required by law, no one is to hunt for all endangered animal species.
Avoid large crowds and political protests. If you're in these areas, you should remain vigilant, exercise caution and follow the advice of local authorities.
As of 2022, Ghana achieved a crime index of 46.81. The index measures the level of crime in a given country or city. This means that, at the said date, crime in Ghana was considered as being on a moderate level. Compared to 2019, when the level of crime in the country registered a peak, the index decreased by approximately 6.6 percent.
Violent crime rates are relatively low and petty crime can often be avoided simply by being vigilant. Ghana is fairly safe compared to other African countries, and as long as new arrivals familiarise themselves with relevant issues and take the necessary safety precautions, they should enjoy a safe existence.
Touring Ghana
The good news is that US dollars are the most-recognized foreign currency, and, in large cities like Accra, there are places to exchange dollars as well as to withdraw cedi from an ATM.
It is advised that tourists drink bottled water, of the best standards. Drinking tap water is not hygienic.
Getting around is by a bus, normal taxi, or chattered taxi. Chattered taxis are usually for shorter distances.
During the northern hemisphere winter is, in most ways, the best time to visit Ghana. The months of October through April are not significantly hotter or cooler than the rest of the year, but they are much more comfortable due to lower humidity levels.
Places to tour include the Kakum National Park, Mole National Park, Kumasi, Busua Beach, Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle, St. George’s Castle, Nzulezu, Lake Volta, Paga Crocodile Pond, and Lake Bosumtwe, among so many others. More information is found at visitghana.com
It is the Kakum National Park. Over 54.5 thousand people visited Ghana's Kakum National Park in 2020. The reserve, located in the country's Central Region, was the most visited attraction that year. The Cape Coast Castle and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park received 37.6 thousand and 34.7 thousand visitors, respectively.
There are continental dishes served in hotels, and local dishes served in canteens and the roadside. Jollof rice, fried rice, waakye, banku and tilapia, red-red, fufu and soup, tuo zaafi, kenkey and fried fish, kelewele etc are commonly served locally.
Only Visa cards are widely accepted in Ghana. Mastercard and American Express cardholders might struggle to find an ATM or an establishment to use these cards, especially outside of Ghana’s capital.
Other Questions
Yes, foreigners can purchase property in Ghana. However, it is critical to consider land classification in the country, as certain land types cannot be privately owned.
Ghana observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) all year.