Going to au Ghana: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay au Ghana

Money au Ghana

Since independence in 1957, Ghana's currency has been the Ghanaian cedi (GHC or GHS). One hundred pesewas (100 p) make one cedi. The value of the Ghanaian currency has fallen sharply, mainly due to inflation, which has had a severe impact on the Ghanaian economy since 2022. The exchange rate in July 2025 was 1 € = 12.11 GHC (5.64 GHC in February 2018) - 100 GHC = 8.25 €. Note that you can pay for hotel nights in cedis, euros or US dollars.

Budget & Tips au Ghana

The cost of living in Ghana is relatively high, especially given the low incomes of the population. Food bought in the markets will be much cheaper than restaurant or hotel services. You should be aware that prices for foreigners and Ghanaians are not the same. You have to accept paying more, even if you have to be careful not to pay "too much".

A cab ride in town will cost from €2 to €5/7, a tro-tro ride from 50 cents to €1.50.

A handful of bananas at a market will cost 25 centimes, a pineapple 1 €.

A drink in a bar should cost €1 or €2, a basic meal around €5.

Nights in a hotel will rarely cost less than €15/20; in Accra, it will often be from €50/60.

Budget. For a day trip, plan on a low budget: €35 to €70. Medium budget: €90 (add €100 for car rental). Big budget: €300 (with car and driver).

Banks and currency exchange. Euros, like CFA francs, can be easily exchanged in banks, Forex bureaux (exchange offices) found everywhere in major cities and at border crossings, as well as in major hotels. Dollars are even easier to exchange. Exchange only at official Forex bureaux and major hotels; never exchange outside official places. And always count the amount of money before leaving the office.

Credit cards. Visa credit cards are accepted in ATMs, department stores and hotels. But be careful! Master Card and other cards are rarely accepted. In mid-range hotels, euros are rarely available. There are no restrictions on the amount of currency you can bring into Ghana, as long as you declare it on arrival. Keep your receipts for inspection on leaving the country.

If you have a bank card (Visa, etc.), there's no need to bring large sums in cash. If your card is not accepted by the merchant, simply go to an ATM. Simply take care to subscribe to an international option for your CB with your bank to avoid commissions.

In the event of loss or theft of your card abroad, your bank will offer you appropriate solutions to ensure that you can continue your stay in peace. Before you leave, make a note of the assistance number on the back of your bank card or available on the Internet. This service is available 24/7. In the event of a stop payment, this is immediately confirmed as soon as you can provide your bank card number.

Passport and visas au Ghana

A visa is required to travel to Ghana, whether for business or pleasure. It must be obtained before departure, and is not issued at the border or airport, except for nationals of African Union member states.

It takes at least five working days to obtain it from the embassy. The cost depends on the length of your stay and the time required to issue it. A one-month visa costs €50 (including consular fees) if issued in 5 working days, €140 in three working days, €250 in 24 hours. To complete your file, you'll need to send your passport, an international yellow fever vaccination certificate (to be obtained from a vaccination center), 2 passport photos, your airline ticket references and the address of your place of stay in Ghana, whether in a hotel or with friends. If you're staying with friends, you'll probably be asked for a letter from them stating that they'll be putting you up. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your return.

Driver's license au Ghana

During a tourist stay in Ghana, it is possible to drive with a French license (it is not necessary to have an international license).

Health au Ghana

Here are the main diseases present in Ghana:

Bilharzia. Bilharzia is the tropical disease with the highest mortality rate after malaria (200 million people worldwide). After an incubation period ranging from three weeks to six months, the disease manifests itself through high fevers, blood in the urine and allergic skin reactions. The best prevention is to limit contact with unsalted stagnant water. Once detected, bilharzia is easily treated.

Yellow fever. Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical regions. After a week's incubation, the disease causes fever, chills and headaches. In the most severe cases, a hemorrhagic syndrome characterized by vomiting of blackish blood, jaundice and kidney problems develops after several days. There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, other than bed rest and medication to combat the symptoms. To enter Ghana, vaccination against yellow fever is required by the country's authorities. You need to be vaccinated at an international vaccination center, and obtain an international certificate to submit with your visa application. You will probably be asked to present this (yellow) vaccination booklet on arrival at the airport.

Hepatitis A. For hepatitis A, prior immunity makes vaccination unnecessary. It is common if you have a history of jaundice, have spent a long time abroad or are over 45. Hepatitis A is usually benign, but it can be serious, particularly over the age of 45 and in cases of pre-existing liver disease. It can be caught through water or poorly washed food. If you have liver disease, vaccination against hepatitis A is highly recommended before any trip where hygiene is precarious. The first injection, one month before departure, is enough to protect you for a short trip. The second injection (six months to a year later) reinforces immunity for decades.

Hepatitis B. High risk in the country. Hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A. It is contracted through sexual intercourse or blood. The hepatitis B vaccine is given in two doses, one month apart (although there are accelerated one-month vaccinations for travellers in a hurry), followed by a booster six months later to reinforce the duration of protection.

Malaria. Malaria is also known as malaria. If you are traveling to Ghana, which is a malaria transmission zone, it is advisable to take preventive treatment. Consult your doctor about the most appropriate treatment (which may differ according to the region and period of the trip, and the specific health of the people concerned). Avoiding treatment is possible if your stay is less than seven days (and provided you are able to consult a doctor if you develop a fever within a month of your return) In addition to pills, reduce the risk of contracting malaria by avoiding mosquito bites (repellent and covering clothing). The risk of being bitten is highest between sunset and sunrise, near stagnant water and shady areas.

Mandatory vaccination au Ghana

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travel to Ghana (a vaccination is now valid for life).

First-aid kit. Common medicines are available in local pharmacies (avoid medicines sold outside pharmacies, e.g. in markets), but it's best to prepare your pharmacy before you leave. In addition to preventive anti-malaria treatment for stays of more than a week, the essentials are paracetamol (in these parts of the world, avoid aspirin, which, in the event of dengue fever infection, can cause a fatal hemorrhagic fever), antidiarrheals, antibiotics (for diarrhea, pulmonary, O. R. L. and skin infections).R.L. and skin infections), an anti-allergic and everything you need to protect yourself from insect bites. Sun protection for lips and skin is essential. Adhesive bandages and disinfectant may also be useful.

Security au Ghana

Ghana is a relatively safe country. However, petty crime is rife, particularly in the form of a number of tourist scams: bogus cab drivers (choose your own and don't let anything be imposed on you), black money exchange offers, bogus guides. So be careful.

Also, be careful when you feel you're entering a segregated, slum-like area. Sometimes it's better to retrace your steps than to tempt the devil. In the evening, it's better to take a cab than to walk the city streets.

Police corruption, especially on the roads, is a problem, and on some occasions it will be difficult to avoid paying baksheesh. Never get ahead of a policeman, however, and wait until you are specifically asked for money; you could be put in even greater jeopardy for bribing a public official.

The driving style of Ghanaians can be very dangerous, so be vigilant and avoid driving at night. You can't see the potholes, and some people drive fast without headlights...

Solicitations to buy trinkets or take a guide can be annoying. In any case, be prepared to remain zen and refuse politely without closing yourself off to communication. Talking is always better than saying nothing, which could be taken the wrong way.

Resentment towards white people can sometimes be felt in Ghana. Be prepared not to be always appreciated a priori, to be patient in the face of certain attitudes (and cries of " Obroni ", "foreigner", often stigmatizing the arrival of a white person somewhere), as well as to be open to hearing reproaches towards you concerning colonization and slavery. Here again, getting out in front of the communication, talking and not closing yourself off can be a plus.

There are few wild animals in Ghana, but be careful of insects (especially malaria) and snakes.

Never bathe in lakes or freshwater because of bilharzia.

For the latest information on local safety, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie. gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, which sometimes gives a rather alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.

Time difference au Ghana

The Greenwich meridian passes through the port city of Tema, so Ghana is in the same time zone as Great Britain (GMT). There is very little time difference between Ghana and France. To set your watch on arrival in Accra, allow :

- 2 hours during summer time in France. Example: 8am in Accra, 10am in Paris.

- 1 hour during winter time in France. Example: 7am in Accra, 8am in Paris.

Spoken languages au Ghana

English, a former colonial language, is the official language of Ghana. It is the written and academic language; it is also the language of communication between the various indigenous peoples of Ghana.

Twi, sometimes written as Chwi, an Akan language (spoken by the dominant Ashanti ethnic group), is almost as widely spoken as English, and is a language of communication even for non-native Ghanaians. There is a written version of Twi, in Latin characters, but it is not widely used. English is never the only mother tongue of Ghanaians. In all, some forty indigenous languages are spoken in Ghana. Some of these are state-subsidized (i.e. recognized and eligible for funding).

In Accra, Ga (a Kwa language), Dangbe and Twi are spoken. On the coast, Fante is spoken around Cape Coast and Nzema in the west (Akan languages like Twi); in Ashanti country, the mother tongue is Twi. In the Lake Volta region, the main languages are Ewe, Adangme (a Kwa language) and Kwahu (an Akan language). In the north, the Dagaaba speak Dagaare; the Dagomba speak Dagbani and the Gonja speak Gonja (a Kwa language). In the north-east, they speak Kasem, a Gur language. In addition, there are some thirty unofficially recognized dialects.

Communication au Ghana

Telephone coverage is good in the capital, as well as in the country's main urban centers and all along the coast. In some remote areas of Ghana, however, telephone calls may be impossible. The quality of the Internet network is also good in populated areas, although a little less so than telephone coverage.

Electricity and measurements au Ghana

The electrical system in Ghana is generally of the English standard (230 V and 50 MHz), in principle, as variations are possible (and power cuts are frequent). It is recommended to purchase a voltage regulator (UPS) for all sensitive electrical equipment, especially computers and printers. The plugs used are generally the English standard (G) and the old English standard (D). You will need an adapter to the English plugs to be able to connect devices with European type plugs (C). Sometimes the European standard is also available, which is used in French-speaking African countries. Don't forget to buy and leave with a good flashlight, even with candles. The units of measurement are those of the metric system.

Luggage au Ghana

Pack light cotton clothes for daytime wear. If you have a business appointment, a suit is a must. And don't forget long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts to avoid mosquito bites. Major hotels will clean your clothes for you. Take along basic medicines and a good flashlight to avoid being surprised by power cuts, which are fairly frequent in Ghana, especially in the north of the country.

Checked baggage. Generally speaking, 23 kg of baggage is allowed in the hold for economy class (sometimes 2 x 23 kg, depending on the airline) and 30 to 40 kg for first and business class. Some airlines allow two hold baggage items up to a total weight of 40 kg. Please check your ticket before departure for details.

Hand luggage. In economy class, one piece of hand luggage and one accessory (handbag, laptop computer) are allowed, all of which must not exceed 12 kg or 115 cm in size. In first and business class, two pieces of baggage are allowed in the cabin. Liquids and gels are forbidden: only tubes and bottles of 100 ml maximum are tolerated, and then only in a closed transparent plastic bag (20 cm x 20 cm). The only exceptions to this rule are baby food and medicines accompanied by their prescription.

Surplus. When it comes to excess baggage, airlines are now pretty strict. While they'll sometimes let you off the hook for 1 or 2 kg too much on certain destinations, you won't have any leeway on African destinations, as passenger demand is so high! If you travel light, don't be surprised to be accosted several times in the check-in hall by other travellers who want to take those kilos you're not using. The choice is yours, but this practice is forbidden, especially if you don't know what you're being asked to carry. Because it's true that once you've exceeded the weight limit, the knife falls, and it falls hard: €30 per extra kilo on a long-haul flight with Air France, €120 per extra baggage item with British Airways.

Daily life au Ghana

Hello? au Ghana

To call Ghana from abroad, dial 233 (the Ghana area code), then the city code, omitting the 0 for local calls, and finally the subscriber's number. In Ghana, telephone numbers are made up of 3 to 6 digits, and area codes are made up of 3 or 4 digits always beginning with 0, such as 030 (formerly 021) for Accra.

Cell phones. The cell phone market has literally exploded, and you can get your hands on Tigo, Vodafone or MTN. It's very easy to buy a SIM card in Ghana, either in specialist stores or from street vendors. For GHC 150 you'll get a SIM card and enough phone credit and internet data for 2 weeks.

If you want to keep your French plan, you'll need to activate the international option (usually free) by calling your operator's customer service before you leave. Who pays what? The rule is the same for all operators. When you use your French phone abroad, you pay for the call, whether you make it or receive it. In the case of an incoming call, your correspondent also pays, but only the price of a local call. All calls made to or from abroad are out of the bundle, including those to voicemail.

Accessibility au Ghana

Ghana is not a wheelchair-friendly destination. A few of Accra's luxury hotels have adapted facilities, but that's as far as it goes.

Travelling with children. The country has no special facilities for children; but culturally, children are appreciated, and you're likely to get a better welcome with children than without.

Health au Ghana

There are a number of things you need to be aware of to avoid health problems during your trip, which may even have to be cut short.

Traffic accidents. They account for 30% of repatriation cases worldwide. Drive carefully and check the condition of your vehicle. Take extra care when crossing streets. And above all, take care when riding a motorcycle, which is particularly exposed. Even if it's unpleasant in a hot country, please wear a helmet.

Water. In many countries, especially Ghana, water is a traveller's main enemy. Statistically, one traveller in two is affected by the notorious turista within the first forty-eight hours, and 80% of travel-related illnesses are directly attributable to contaminated water. While turista is fortunately often benign, diarrhea contracted in high-risk areas can also conceal amoebae, giardia, bacteria or viruses, which can be vectors of serious illnesses (typhoid, cholera, for example). The utmost caution is therefore called for. It's not enough to avoid drinking tap water: ice cubes, food washed with impure water or brushing your teeth with tap water - even in a 4-star hotel - are all vectors of contamination. So it's better to be safe than sorry: buy sealed bottled water whenever possible. But make sure they don't arrive uncapped on the table, as some clever people won't hesitate to fill the bottle with tap water! Boil your water (coffee and tea are "safe" drinks), avoid eating raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit (follow the motto: "washed, peeled, boiled or thrown away!"), banish ice cubes and, a good tip: always carry disinfectant tablets with you. Nothing could be simpler: one tablet in your flask or liter bottle and you're all set for your trek. Use them to brush your teeth or to drink a little water in the middle of the night, or even to wash your fruit. Depending on the location, circumstances or type of trip, capped bottles are not available everywhere, and you can't always boil your own water.

Food hygiene. The most common cases are intestinal problems. A change of diet is already a source of disruption, but when spicy food prepared in hygienic conditions not necessarily up to the standards we're used to is added to the mix, the result is usually severe diarrhoea, also known as turista. To avoid it, take care not to eat fruits that have already been peeled (no problem for those you peel yourself), or raw foods. And don't eat fruit or vegetables that have been washed in unboiled water. And wash your hands regularly. The source of all these ailments is also a remedy for them. While diarrhoea is more unpleasant than dangerous, it does have the effect of dehydrating you, which is why it's a good idea to drink plenty of purified water when you're suffering from this kind of intestinal disorder.

Sea and beaches. Beaches are tempting, but not all are authorized for bathing. Find out more. Currents can be dangerous, so you need to be careful: don't swim alone, too far from the coast, or after a heavy meal. Avoid sudden plunges into the water after prolonged exposure to the sun: enter gradually. Beware of sea urchins, coral, sharks and jellyfish. Avoid walking barefoot.

Stings and bites. Malaria prevention requires prior treatment before departure. The first symptoms of this disease can appear several weeks after your return, and it can be fatal if not treated in time. This is a good reason to avoid mosquito bites and other bugs as much as possible. Mosquitoes have their own habits and timetables: in full sun, you risk virtually nothing; on the other hand, between sunset and sunrise, it's snack time for these little flying creatures. Water (lakes, swamps) and shady areas (forests) are their favorite habitats; all you have to do is leave as little skin as possible within reach of their voracious appetite (pants, long-sleeved sweatshirt, socks). At night, the best protection is a mosquito net, which can be sprayed with anti-mosquito spray for added effectiveness.

For other cases of stings (bees, wasps, horseflies, scorpions), bites (ticks, spiders, snakes) or cuts, there are no real preventive measures, so you need to be aware of your surroundings: shake out your clothes and shoes before putting them on, and lift the sheets off the bed rather than jumping up and down on them. Wounds in hot, humid climates take a long time to heal and can even become infected: treat them as quickly as possible with an antiseptic and leave them in the open air as much as possible, rather than covering them with a bandage.

Sunburn. Beware of sunburns. The African sun strikes fast! You need to be cautious and avoid exposure to the sun for too long. During strenuous walks in the forest, wear a head covering. Use effective sunscreens and don't hesitate to cover up with light canvas clothing and wide-brimmed hats. Light-skinned children are particularly vulnerable. Note that the sea breeze is deceptive and that the clouds that sometimes hang over the Ghanaian sky do not necessarily filter out UV rays: you can feel the heat of the sunburn on your skin when it's already too late. Excessive solar radiation is dangerous for the skin. In the short term, sunburn and other solar allergies are not so serious, but in the long term, UV radiation causes accelerated aging of the skin, with certain consequences: skin cancer at worst, but certainly loss of skin elasticity (irreversible aging).

Ideally, you shouldn't be exposed to the sun for too long each day. Otherwise, use sunscreens with sufficient protection, as well as shawls, scarves, flowing shirts and wide-brimmed hats. Avoid the hottest hours of the day, in the middle of the day. Take into account your "sun capital", i.e. your genetic capacity to repair skin damage. This vulnerability is not the same for red skin (which is highly sensitive) as it is for matte or black skin (which reacts best by adopting a darker shade to act as a screen).

Emergency numbers au Ghana

There are clinics, hospitals and pharmacies on site to deal with your health problems, but the infrastructure is poor. Hospitals are either public or private. Each region and district also has a high-quality public health service. Churches and the main public services (army, police, fire department...) also have hospitals that are often better equipped than public hospitals, resulting in a two-tier healthcare system.

In the event of illness. Contact the French consulate. They'll be happy to help you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, the consulate will also inform the family and decide on repatriation. To find out about emergency services and establishments that meet international standards, visit www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr

Securty au Ghana

Main local emergency numbers:

Police: 191.

Police Intelligence and Professional Standards (PIPPS): 030 277 64 35.

Fire department: 192.

Emergency/ambulance: 193.

LGBTQ au Ghana

Being gay in Ghana is beyond comprehension. So you won't find any gay-friendly places. Two men kissing in public would be extremely shocking. On the other hand, two friends will easily hold hands or arms.

Embassies and consulates au Ghana

the Embassy of France is located on Liberation Avenue (12th Road), right across from the offices of TV3 and Afrikiko Leisure. The Embassy is open from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (visa service from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, except on Friday). For more information, visit www.ambafrance-gh.org or call +233 302 214 550.

Mail au Ghana

Ghanaian postal services are cheap and relatively efficient to Europe and the USA. Letters take around ten working days to arrive in Europe. To other African countries, on the other hand, it can take up to two months.

Local media au Ghana