Climate & Dress [top]
Ghana has a tropical climate, characterised most of the year by moderate temperatures generally 21-32°C (70-90°F), with constant breeze and sunshine. There are two rainy seasons, from March to July, and from September to October, separated by a short cool dry season in August and a relatively long dry season in the south from mid-October to March. Ghana has an almost all year round summer season.
Suggested Clothing:Light cotton clothing is preferable. A jacket and tie may be required for business meeting, and in the main hotels in the evening.
Ghana's currency is the Cedi which comes in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000. Coins come in denominations of 50, 100, 200 and 500. Foreign currency can be freely exchanged at any Forex Bureaux in the country.
Apart from Forex Bureaux, some commercial banks also exchange foreign currency. Banks are normally open from 8:30 am - 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Most large commercial banks will also have automatic teller machines located outside and available during and after hours. Most will take VISA and a few other check cards.
There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency you may bring into Ghana. This must, however, be stated on the currency declaration form. Foreign currency can be freely exchanged at any Forex Bureaux in the country.
Credit Cards [top]
The most widely accepted credit cards are American Express, Dinners, and Visa. Your card may be used for payment at nearly all airlines, leading hotels and major supermarkets. Using your credit card in Ghana can be risky though. There have been numerous instances of credit card fraud in Ghana. A credit card number can be recorded and sold, even at the best facilities.
Time Zones [top]
Ghana Standard Time is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). There is no Daylight Savings Time.
The official language of Ghana is English, although we have many other languages based on ethnic groups. The main vernacular languages are Akan, Ga, Ewe, Hausa and Dagbani.
Communication, Phones – Access Codes [top]
The International Direct Dialing code for Ghana is +233. Telephone, fax and telex services are found in all main towns and in the main hotels.. USA direct dial is 019900, UK is 0194.
Mobile Telephone: Coverage is good around main towns and patchy to non-existent elsewhere. Roaming agreements exist with numerous companies.
Internet: Internet facilities can be found throughout the country in most towns but connection is usually very slow (56K). Hotels have faster access. Internet popularity is rapidly growing and service is improving to keep up with demand.
Media: A free press operates in Ghana. There are no major restrictions on private press and broadcasters, who are regularly critical of government policy. Lively radio phone-in programmes are common and popular. Numerous private radio stations compete for limited advertising revenue in Accra and elsewhere. The state-run Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) runs national TV and radio networks.
Post: Airmail letters to Europe may take two weeks or more to arrive.
Press: Daily and weekly newspapers are available in English and include the state-owned Daily Graphic, The Ghanaian Times (both daily) and The Mirror (weekly). Private dailies include The Ghanaian Chronicle and the Daily Guide.
Radio: GBC operates Radio 1 (programmes in English and local languages), Radio 2 and local Accra station Unique FM. Among the plethora of private stations are Adom FM, Happy FM, Space FM and Vibe FM. BBC World Service and Radio France Internationale are available on FM in Accra.
Political System [top]
Ghana is a republic and member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The government sits at Osu Castle in Accra. The Parliament of Ghana is unicameral and dominated by two main parties, the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress. Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, is from Ghana.
Public Holidays [top]
Ghana is a republic and member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The government sits at Osu Castle in Accra. The Parliament of Ghana is unicameral and dominated by two main parties, the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress. Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, is from Ghana.
- New Years Day - January 1
- Eid ul Fitr Variable (Ramadan Festival) determines the day it is celebrated)
- Independence Day - March 6
- Good Friday Variable
- Easter Monday Variable
- Eid ul Adha 70 days (10 weeks) from Eid ul Fitr (Festival of Sacrifice)
- Workers Day - May 1
- Africa Day - May 25
- Republic Day - July 1
- Farmers Day - 1st Friday in December
- Christmas Day - December 25
- Boxing Day - December 26
There are three main religious groups in Ghana. These are Christian, Muslim and those who follow traditional faiths. Places of worship are found all over the Country.
Miscellaneous Ghanan Travel Tips [top]
Customs: Greeting
Greeting is an important social function that marks an open heart and mind. It also expresses one's concern for the other. Refusing or failing to greet another person may indicate that you either harbor ill will or do not care for the other's welfare. Do not forget that the smile is also a form of greeting.
Customs: Handshake
A handshake is a popular way of greeting in Ghana, especially among males. When you shake hands, please apply the same hand pressure as is offered. When you are shaking hands with a number of people, start from the extreme right and proceed towards the left.
Customs: Use of the Left Hand
The left hand has limited functions in Ghana. In fact the use of the left hand for certain activities is considered an anathema. In particular avoid receiving or giving, gesticulating in speech, waving at a person or pointing things out with the left hands. If you are naturally left handed, it is of no offense. But you can avoid public embarrassment of complications by keeping something (e.g. your guide book, camera, souvenir etc.) in the left hand to keep you from using it at inappropriate times.
Customs: Dress Code
Ghanaians consider it respectful to dress decently for social functions especially for visits to the palaces. It is considered disrespectful to attend such functions in crumpled dirty clothes, T-shirts, unkept hair. Older Ghanians are usually not happy to see a woman or lady dressed in shorts or trousers (slacks). When sitting in the presence of eminent people or elders, do not sit cross-legged. Visitors are held in very, very high esteem in Ghanian society and visitors are expected to exhibit an acceptable standard of dressing and decorum. If you are wearing a hat or cap, remove it when speaking with an elderly person as a sign of outward respect for Ghanian traditions.
Palace Etiquette
Ghana's chiefs enjoy receiving foreigners and interacting with them. When you are invited to greet a chief or the king, move up towards him and stop short a point from where he is seated, stop and bow. He may graciously invite you to come for a handshake.
On formal occasions, do not speak directly to the king, or chief. For that matter communication at the royal court is a three-way affair through a spokesman (linguist) called "Okyeame" who replicates the conversation. The visitor faces the Okyeame and delivers his message to the chief. The chief gives his reply or response to the Okyeame who renders it to the visitor. It is that simple and interesting. This has been the practice from time immemorial.
Normally, visitors to our palaces have to make customary offerings of friendship to their royal hosts. This consists entirely of drinks: Aromatic Schnapps, Gin and or money, the amount and quantities depending on the size or enthusiasm of the group.
Tipping
Tipping is permitted in hotels, restaurants, etc. It is rarely added to the bill. Whenever it is not added the quality of service should dictate your generating to the waiter, taxi driver, porter, guide etc.
Duty Free: Duty must be paid on gifts. Those wishing to export handicrafts and antiques not exempt, must obtain a certificate from the Museums and Monuments Board; these are available from the main craft centre or the National Museum.
Electricity:
Any electrical appliances you bring should operate on, or be adaptable to 220 volts. Electric outlets in Ghana accept either 3pronged, or sometimes 2-pronged. British or Continental European type plus or converters.
Health & Healthcare:
Health insurance is essential, preferably with cover for emergency evacuation. Medical facilities exist in all the regional capitals as well as in most towns and villages. Emergency medical facilities are extremely limited.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all nationals entering the country.
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Ghana. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. During the rainy seasons (May to Jul and Sep to Oct) there are seasonal outbreaks of cholera. Recent outbreaks have occurred in parts of Accra and Kumasi. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.
Immunisation against typhoid is usually advised. An outbreak of poliomyelitis occured in 2003.
Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country.
Drinking Water: Safe but it is advisable for visitors to use bottled dinking water which is available for sale in hotels and super markets.
Safety: While most visits to Ghana are trouble-free, violent crime can occur at any time (as anywhere in the world). Travellers are advised to exercise a high level of vigilance in public areas, and when travelling by road.
Helpful Ghanan Travel Contacts [top]
Ministry of Tourism
P O Box 4386 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 666314/666426 Fax: 00233 21 666182
The Ghana Tourist Board
P O Box 3106 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 222153 Fax: 00233 21 231779 E-mail: gtb@africaonline.com.gh
Ghana Tourist Development Company
P O Box 8710 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 772084 Fax: 00233 21 772093
Ministry of Local Government
P O Box M169 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 775827, 777371
Ministry of Lands and Forestry
P O Box M212 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 665421 Fax: 00233 21 66801
Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
P O Box M193 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 665125 Fax: 00233 23 663801
Ghana Wildlife Department
P O Box M238 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 664654, 666129, 666476 Fax: 00233 21 66476
National Commission on Culture
P O Box 3356 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 662581, 664099, 662321
Ghana Museums & Monuments Board
P O Box 3343 Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 221633, 221635
Ghana Immigration Service
PMB, Ministries Accra, Ghana Tel: 00233 21 231674 Fax: 00233 21 226996
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