Toll Free (USA & Canada) +1 866 978 2997
Capital:
Accra
Religion:
Christianity is the largest religion in Ghana, with (71.3%) of the country's population being members of various Christian denominations. Most Ghanian Christians belong to Protestant denominations, especially Pentecostalism. However, the Catholic Church also has a significant following in the country. Islam is the second largest religion in the country, adhered to by (19.9%) of the total population.
Language in Ghana:
Ghana is a multilingual country in which about eighty languages are spoken. Of these, English, which was inherited from the colonial era, is the official language and lingua franca. Of the languages indigenous to Ghana, Akan is the most widely spoken, precisely in the south. Followed by Dagbanli, the most widely spoken language in Northern Ghana.
LOCAL TIME
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), UTC +0
ELECTRICITY
Ghana operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Standard European round two-pin plugs and Swiss three-pin plugs are used.
PASSPORT & VISA FEE:
A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.
Currency & Money
Ghana’s currency is the cedi, the symbol: ‘₵’ is used or, alternatively, GH₵ or GHS. The Bank of Ghana issues coins in 1 pesewa (cent), 5, 10, 20, and 50 pesewas as well as 1-cedi coins. Paper currency is issued in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200-cedi denominations
Credit cards:
Visa credit cards are widely accepted in Ghana. Mastercard and American Express are also accepted, but less so especially if you travel outside of Accra.
Making a cash withdrawal could cover you in places that don’t accept credit cards. Though this may come with additional fees.
ATM:
ATMs are common in large towns and will accept most cards. Credit cards are accepted at many hotels, guesthouses and some shops, but Mastercard is not widely accepted
Banking hours:
Mon-Fri 0800-1830. Some banks close at 1630
Currency exchange:
There are bureaux de change in towns and banks.
Clothing:
Ghana is a tropical country with a warm/hot climate all year round. Our advice would be to pack lightweight layers in natural fabrics: linen, cotton, bamboo and silk.
Telephone:
Phonecards are available for use in payphones. SIM cards are available for mobile phones and the Ghana network supports many data-roaming packages.
Emergency Numbers:
Police 191
Fire service 192 / 999
Ambulance 193
Mobile phone:
Travelers can get a SIM card for their mobile phone at dedicated stores. The process requires additional government identification registration procedures if the traveler is staying for more than 30 days. All four mobile telecom providers (MTN, Vodafone, Airtel-Tigo and Glo) and the Internet Service Providers offer 4G LTE Connectivity.
Internet:
Ghana is the best-connected country in Africa. There is an abundance of internet cafés in Accra and they are cheap and usually fairly fast. All hotels will have a computer to use, although the wireless network in many leave a lot to be desired.
Ghana Food and Drink
Ghanaian cuisine is built around starchy staples like fufu, kokonte, banku, and emotuo. They’re always served with a soup or stew along with a protein source, usually goat, beef, chicken, pork, lamb, snails, or fish. A number of ingredients are commonly used, including rice, tomatoes, plantains, peppers, black-eyed peas, onions, ginger, and palm oil.
Specialties:
WEATHER & CLIMATE
In Ghana, the climate is tropical, with a dry season in winter and a rainy season in summer due to the African monsoon. The rainy season lasts from May to September in the north, from April to October in the center, and from April to November in the south. On the contrary, along the east coast, the rainy season is shorter and goes from April to June, with a break in July and August, and a slight recovery in September and October.
The rainiest area is the south, where precipitation is above 1,500 millimeters (60 inches) per year, and even more so the small west coast area, where it reaches 2,000 mm (80 in) per year. The driest areas are the north, where the rainfall amounts to around 1,000 mm (40 in) per year, and the eastern coast, which includes Accra, where it drops below 800 mm (31.5 in). Anyway, as we have said, in the north, there's only one rainy season, which reaches its peak in the summer months, while on the coast, the rainy season is divided into two.
SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE:
Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation and will be welcomed by the recipient, although if you decide not to tip in a particular circumstance, this doesn’t mean you’ll receive a lower level of service. Ultimately, tipping is discretionary and should be done at a level that feels comfortable.
It's not too common to tip in bars and smaller eating establishments such as chop bars. In restaurants and where there is table service, a tip of between five and ten per cent is common. In restaurants a ten per cent service charge is often added to the bill. It's not necessary to tip taxi drivers.
It is also customary to leave a tip for the maid so that he or she cleans your hotel room properly, and when someone goes out of their way to help you, for example, when they walk you to the corner of the block that you are asking directions to. Do not be overly generous, as this may appear that you are flaunting money, but do leave enough to show appreciation for the services you receive.
HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.
Yellow fever, malaria and other insect-borne diseases are common, as are waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases, such as cholera, hepatitis, lassa fever, meningococcal meningitis, bilharzia and tuberculosis. Avoid insect bites, ice cubes, and raw or undercooked food. Drink boiled or bottled water. Consider what vaccinations and medicine you need.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Your home country health plan may only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance, however they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable.
