Main Airports
Kotoka Airport is situated 10kms (6 miles) from Accra to the northern side. It takes about 25 minutes to get to Accra city from the airport. Facilities at the airport include Car hire companies, duty free shops, and restaurants. Taxis are available.

Banking in Ghana
Banking is available Monday –Thursday from 0800 hours –1400 hours; And Friday 0800 hours –1500 hours.

Climate of Ghana
A tropical climate, hot and humid in the north, in the forest land of Ashanti and southwest plains. There are two rainy seasons in Ghana: from March to July and from September to October.

Temperatures range between 21°C and 32°C (70°F - 90°F), relative humidity between 50% and 80%. Rainfall ranges from 30 to 80 inches a year. The harmattan, a dry desert wind, blows from the northeast from December to March lowering the humidity and causing hot day and cool nights in the north. The effect of this wind is felt in the south during January. In most areas, temperatures are highest in March and lowest in August after the rains. Variation between day and night temperatures is relatively small, but greater in the north, especially in January, on account of the harmattan.

Clothing for Ghana Travel
Tropical lightweight clothing.

Use of Credit Cards and ATM Cards in Ghana
Credit cards (mainly American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa) are accepted by leading hotels, restaurants, banks, businesses and some shops. Some banks may give cash advances against leading cards. However, those using credit cards should be aware that credit card fraud is common. In large urban areas such as Accra and Kumasi ATMs are commonplace.

Use of credit cards in Ghana should be avoided if possible, as a growing number of travelers have been victims of credit card fraud.

Visa and passport Regulations for Ghana Travel
All visitors to Ghana are required to have a visa unless you are a citizen of a West African country which belongs to ECOWAS. You must have a return ticket to Ghana before applying for a visa. Basic tourist visas are valid for 3 months from date of issue so don't get it too early or it may expire before you arrive. A single entry tourist visa costs $50. Student visa applications must be submitted together with a letter of invitation from the principals in Ghana and or in the student's home country. Ghana also requires all visitors to have a valid certificate of immunization against yellow fever.

Currency of Ghana
The cedi is the unit of currency in Ghana. Cedi - GHC; = 100 pesewas. Notes are in denominations of 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 and 500, 200, 100 and 50 pesewas. The Cedi is pegged to the US Dollar at an adjustable rate.
Check out this currency converter to find out how many cedis your dollar, yen or pound can get.

Customs and Excise
The following goods may be imported into Ghana by persons aged 16 and over without incurring customs duty: 1.1l of spirits or 1.1l of wine; 284ml of perfume.

Note: 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 center or the National Museum.

Prohibited Imports
Animals, firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Drinking Water
Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Some types of fish may contain poisonous bio-toxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and sea bass.

Driving and Road Travel
You drive on the right hand side of the road. The major car rental companies are all represented in Ghana; Avis, Hertz and Europcar. The main roads in Ghana are decent but the police checkpoints are numerous and usually require a cash handout to proceed, which can be annoying. Roads are generally in good condition, but can be in poor condition outside of the towns. Traffic drives on the right.

Coach: State-run and private coach services connect all major towns.
Car hire: Available in Accra but extremely expensive, with or without driver.
Taxi: Taxis are available.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
Accra has extensive bus and taxi services operated by the private sector. There is an abundance of taxis in the towns. Prices are reasonable. Drivers do not generally expect tips

Electricity
Electric Power is 230V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used are :
Round pins with ground and rectangular blade plug

Emergency Numbers
Emergency line in Ghana is: 191

Currency Exchange in Ghana
The exchange rate system has been liberalized and foreign currency is freely available through authorized dealers including banks and foreign exchange bureaux. Cash is exchanged at a more preferential rate than traveler’s checks.

Health Issues
Documentation of Yellow fever vaccination is required upon arrival from all countries. There are no HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ghana. Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country.

Medical Facilities in Ghana
Medical facilities in Ghana are limited, particularly outside Accra, the capital. Travelers should carry adequate supplies of any needed prescription medicines, along with copies of their prescriptions, the generic name of the drugs, and a supply of preferred over-the-counter medications. For information on avian influenza (bird flu), please refer to the Department of State's Avian Influenza Fact Sheet.

Languages spoken in Ghana
The official language is English. Local Ghanaian languages are widely spoken, including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe and Ga.

Public Holidays
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Mar Independence Day.
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Africa Day.
1 Jul Republic Day.
13 Oct Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan).
7 Dec National Farmers’ Day.
20 Dec Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25-26 Dec Christmas.
31 Dec Revolution Day.

Safety and Security in Ghana
Due to the potential for violence visitors should avoid political rallies and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times.

Pick-pocketing, purse snatching, and various types of scams are the most common forms of crime confronting visitors. Travelers have reported these types of theft at crowded markets, beaches, parks, and tourist attractions.

Incidences of violent crime, such as armed robbery, are on the rise, including reports of armed robberies in expatriate residential areas. Victims who resist attackers run a high risk of serious physical injury.

Take security measures, such as traveling in groups and avoiding travel at night. Avoid travel in communal taxis. Travelers who limit their display of jewelry and handle their cash discreetly reduce their vulnerability to crime. Travelers are advised to carry limited amounts of cash and only photocopies of key documents.

Shopping in Ghana
Almost all commodities, including luxury items, can be found in the shops and markets. Artifacts from the Ashanti region and northern Ghana can be bought along with attractive handmade gold and silver jewelry.

Modern and old African art is also available (although prices are high), in particular, Ashanti stools and brass weights formerly used to measure gold. Earthenware pots, leatherwork, locally woven shirts and Bolgatanga baskets woven from multi-colored raffia are sold in all the northern markets. Ghana is home to the traditional Kente cloth.

Telecommunications
Telephone country code: +233.

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

Time
Ghana has the same time as that of GMT

Tipping
Tipping: Tipping is permitted; it is not usually included in the bill.