Ghana travel guide
Meet Ghana Ghana weather reportGetting into GhanaFrom the Ghanese kitchen From the Ghanese barCurrency in Ghana Major airports in GhanaThings to have at hand in GhanaDid you know?
Meet Ghana
Bordering the Ivory Coast and Togo, Ghana is located in Western Africa, and has several cities and territories to explore, for culture, nature or escape. It is a welcoming country, and therefore ideal for a first-time visitor to Africa; its people are friendly and helpful, and its tourist industry has grown to the extent that a traveller can ease into African life with few complications. The country is quite laid-back and tourist sights are not very well organised, leaving itineraries up to the individual. After a few days this laissez-faire attitude will become almost natural, providing an excellent antidote to fast-paced modern life.
Ghana is a very prosperous country, rich in gold, and with a relatively stable economy, meaning that the country has great potential to grow. It is also naturally rich, with grassy plains and dense rainforests incorporated into nature parks such as that at Kakum. Monkeys, lions, elephants, birds and insects draw many travellers, as do their idyllic palm-laced beaches and lagoons, popular for watersports.
42 European forts and castles, a mark of the country's history, are UNESCO World Heritage monuments, and tell a story of wars between the British and indigenous peoples. Elaborate traditional festivals can be seen around the country, and the bustling town markets are the epitome of West African life.
Ghana is becoming increasingly popular among tour operators, which is gradually reducing airfare. September and October are the best time to visit, as the harvest festivals provide glamorous street parades and an abundance of food. Be aware that this is also the rainy season – for a climate-based opinion see the weather report below.
Ghana weather report
Ghana is hot and humid all year round,with the rainy season falling in the Autumn. December to April are the driest – but also hottest months, where temperatures average in the mid 30s. July and August are coolest, but only marginally so.
For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.
Getting into Ghana
Visas must be purchased well in advance of travel to Ghana by everyone who is not a West African citizen. A 3 month visa costs $30US, whereas a multiple entry visa over one year costs around $80US. Yellow Fever vaccination certificates are essential, and must be presented to customs. Malaria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Diphtheria vaccinations are also advised. Visa extensions often take a long time, so it is often advisable to go through Togo.
From the Ghanese kitchen
Food is Ghana is fun, cheap, and unpretentious. Meals can be bought in restaurants for as little as GBP £3.00, and are usually hearty enough to get you through the day. Typical dishes include:
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Fufu – the most popular dish in Ghana, this is made of balls of yam, cassava, or plantain in a nut or vegetable soup with a side of goat or fish meat..
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Banku – fermented corn version of Fufu, normally eaten with grilled tilapia or okra soup.
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Jollof rice – not always considered “real” by many Ghanians, but typical nonetheless. White rice with vegetables and meat in a spicy tomato sauce.
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Waakye – beans and rice with ground cassava.
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Plantains and other root vegetables – often served in snack form as chips, or fried.
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Fruits – coconut, mango, papaya, and pineapple are extremely cheap in Ghana, selling for as little as 10 cents a bag.
It is not uncommon to be served salad and salad cream alongside rice dishes. Banku is a fermented corn version of the dish typically eaten with grilled tilapia fish or okra soup.
From the Ghanese bar
Tap water is not generally safe in Ghana, but bottled water is reasonably available. Soft drinks (such as Coke or Sprite) are more reliable, and usually cost around 50 cents. When drinking from purchased bottles, be aware that the vendor will need the bottle back, else he will be charged by the manufacturer. If you are keen to take the bottle away, let the bartender know, and leave a few cents.
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Beer – Star and Club are two popular beers served in bars around Accra. Visiting a “spot” bar (signified by blue and white stripes) will give you a chance to mingle with locals, and take you away from the tourist traps.
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Wine – aside from the typical grape varieties, Ghana is known for making wine out of several other plants. Try Palm Wine (7%), Pito (Millet) wine (5%), or non-alcoholic Asaana (Maize) or Lamujii (Ginger) wines
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The local gin is Akpeteshie, and is as strong as British spirits.
Currency in Ghana
The unit of currency is the cedi (C). There are C1000, C2000, C5000, C10, 000 and C20, 000 notes, as well as C100, C200, C250 and C500 coins.
Branches of Barclay's Bank are located around the city and will exchanged travellers cheques commission-free. US Dollars, Sterling, and Euros are the best foreign currency to take for exchange.
Credit cards are only accepted in major hotels and travel agents.
Major airports in Ghana
Kokota International Airport at Accra (ACC) is Ghana's only international airport, but the following airports are easy to get to/from by land:
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Kokolope Airport
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Lomé-Tokoin Airport (Togo) (LFW)
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Buona Airport (Ivory Coast) (BQD)
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Nouna Airport (Burkina Faso) (XNU)
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Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Nigeria) (LOS)
Things to have at hand in Ghana
- Sun cream
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Mosquito repellent
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Bottled water
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Your right hand! It is rude to shake, eat, or wave with your left hand in
Did you know?
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The etymological meaning of Ghana is “Warrior King”
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Not all restaurants meet European Health Standards, and you will pay for the privilege
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Ghana is on GMT
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More than 250 languages and dialects are spoken in Ghana, but English is the official language.The Nile is 4,184 miles long, making it the world’s longest river.