Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Ghana depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for GhanaEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 193
- Fire
- 192
Currency
- Name
- Ghanaian Cedi
- Code
- GHS
- Symbol
- GH₵
ATMs in Accra, Kumasi, and major towns. USD and EUR exchanged at Forex bureaus. Cards accepted at upmarket hotels and restaurants. Cash preferred in markets. Mobile money (MTN Mobile Money) is widely used.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type D, Type G
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
GMT (UTC+0) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–March is the dry harmattan season — best for Accra's beaches and nightlife, the Cape Coast and Elmina slave castles (UNESCO), Kumasi's Kejetia market (one of the largest in West Africa), Mole National Park (elephants), and the Volta Region (Wli Waterfalls, Lake Volta). April–October has higher rainfall.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Service charge sometimes included |
| Taxis | Round up | — |
| Guides | $5–10 USD per tour | — |
Dress Code
- Casual in Accra — a cosmopolitan, fashionable city
- Modest dress in Muslim-majority northern regions
- Smart casual for Accra's upmarket restaurants and rooftop bars
Social Etiquette
- Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule (1957, from Britain under Kwame Nkrumah) — this history defines the national pride
- Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle were the largest slave-trading fortresses in West Africa — visiting them is one of the most emotionally powerful historical experiences in the world
- Accra's Afrobeats and highlife music scene is world-class — artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido have roots in the West African music tradition
- Ghana is known as one of the most stable and democratic countries in West Africa — 'Akwaaba' (welcome) is not just a word but a genuine national value
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ activity is illegal — social attitudes are strongly conservative; exercise extreme caution
- A controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed in 2024 significantly increased penalties
- Photography of government buildings, airports, and military restricted
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome (Twi — main local language) | Akwaaba | ah-KWAH-bah — the most important Ghanaian word; it means welcome and is a genuine invitation |
| Thank you (Twi) | Medaase | meh-DAH-seh |
| How are you? (Twi) | Wo ho te sen? | woh hoh teh SEHN |
| Fine (Twi reply) | Ɛyɛ (Eyε) | EH-yeh — 'it is good' |
| Good morning (Twi) | Maakye | MAH-cheh |
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