Language
English is widely spoken in the country and is the language for government and business affairs. However, knowledge of basic phrases in Twi – Meda wo ase (Thank you); Wo ho te sen? (How are you?) – or other local languages will be highly valued.
Etiquette
Ghanaian culture is warm and hospitable, but visitors should follow certain norms of etiquette, especially in business settings. Ghanaians value personal relationships and small talk, so it is advisable to avoid rushing into formal discussions. Shaking hands with the right hand is the common greeting. Using the left hand for eating, pointing or gesturing is considered rude. Despite many similarities, cultural codes vary across ethno-linguistic communities.
Health
It is recommended to check the latest health requirements before travelling to Ghana. Visitors are required to have a valid yellow fever certificate administered at least 10 days before arrival. Other recommended vaccines include those for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, tetanus, diphtheria and polio, and meningococcal meningitis. Malaria risk is low in cities, but mosquito repellent is recommended nevertheless. Ghana has a well-developed health sector, with many public and private hospitals and clinics in urban areas. Reputable health facilities in Accra include Nyaho Medical Centre, Medifem Hospital and Lister Hospital.
Entry Visas
Citizens of ECOWAS are exempt from visa requirements, as are several other African countries (including Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe), some Caribbean countries and Singapore. In most other cases, visitors must obtain a visa prior to their arrival or upon arrival. As of November 2023 US citizens can pay $67 for a single-entry visa and $107 for a multiple-entry visa. A single-entry visa to Ghana will cost UK citizens £60 and a multiple-entry visa £100-200. EU residents can procure single-entry visas for around €100, while a multiple-entry, three-month visa costs approximately €140, with some variation.
Currency
The Ghanaian cedi converts to 100 pesewas and comes in banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50. Ghana has made significant progress in promoting digital payments, especially through mobile platforms such as MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash and AirtelTigo Money. However, cash is still widely used and accepted, so visitors should always have some on hand. ATMs are available in most cities but may have withdrawal limits or fees, and they are more likely to accept Visa than Mastercard. Foreign currency exchange can be done at licensed exchange offices or in hotels.
Business Hours
The standard work week in Ghana runs from Monday to Friday, with some businesses operating on Saturdays as well. Private businesses are usually open from 8.00am to 5.00pm, while government offices tend to close by 3.00pm or 4.00pm. Fridays are generally quieter in predominantly Muslim areas, as many people attend prayers at mosques.
Transport
Travel by road dominates transport in Ghana. Taxis are easy to find in urban areas, but visitors should negotiate the fare before boarding, as most taxis do not have meters. An average fare would be around GHS20 ($1.70) per km, with higher charges for airport trips, late-night rides or peak-hour traffic. Ride-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt Yango and Shaxi are popular in Accra and other major cities, or visitors can rent private vehicles with drivers for daily or hourly rates.
Communications
Ghana’s country dialling code is +233. When arriving in the country, visitors are advised to purchase a prepaid SIM card at licensed shops in the airport through providers MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo by showing a passport. Topping up is easy, as a variety of shops and street vendors offer the service. Most providers of data coverage focus on 3G and 4G provision to larger cities, but remote hotspots are available with certain companies. Ghana has made significant progress in promoting digital payments, especially through mobile money platforms such as Vodafone Cash, MTN Mobile Money and AirtelTigo Money.
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