About Ghana

Ghana is a beauty country in West Africa. With friendly locals, rich culture and a range of attractions, Ghana budget travel is ideal for those seeking an African travel adventure like no other.

Ghana Budget Travel

Below is a list of Ghana's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Accra, Cape Coast, Kokrobite, Kumasi

Fast Facts

Currency
Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)

Dialing Code
233

AIDS

Ghana HIV/AIDS is slowly but steadily increasing. Poor health care facilities and lack of treatment, but lack of education and understanding and poverty levels all play a role in the increase of AIDS in Ghana, and despite government efforts the rate is still increasing in young adults as well as babies and children who have been infected through their mothers.

Airports

Ghana airports include the following:
• Kotoka International Airport

Birdlife

Ghana birdlife includes a large number of Important Bird Areas (IBA's) across the country, and a range of species to be found in varied habitats from coastal and wetlands, to woodlands and forest and grasslands and savannas. The country has a number of endangered or threatened species, a large number of endemics and a good number of migrating species.

Conservation

Ghana conservation plays a key role in protecting the country's precious resources, which are rapidly declining. Environmental hazards and land abuse cause major damage to the country's ecosystems and natural habitats, and despite conservation efforts to preserve theses habitats, Ghana remains one of the world's fastest declining rain forest regions with very few remaining forests left in the country, which was once lush with dense tropical rainforests making up a large percentage of the land.

Culture

Ghana cultures include the following:
• Music and dance plays an important role in all cultural groups
• Festivals are an important tradition in many groups
• Art plays a key role in history and traditions
• Literature is a key cultural pastime, especially among modern Ghanaians
• Cuisine is a highly social cultural activity

Customs

Ghana customs allowances for persons over 16 years of age include:
• 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco
• 1 quart of wine and 1 quart of spirits
• 1/2 pint of perfumes and eau de toilette
• Gifts which will need to be declared

Health

Ghana health facilities are generally average to poor, and despite the main urban areas and cities such as Accra being much more modernised than rural areas, even in these city centers the standard is not great. Travellers should take extra precautions to stay healthy and safe on their trips to Ghana, and ensure that they take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any health costs that may arise on their travels.

Innoculations

The following Ghana inoculations are required:
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Rabies
• Polio

Languages

Ghana languages include the following:
• English (official language)
• Akan
• Guan
• Ga
• Ewe
• Mossi-Dagomba
• Hausa

Malaria

Ghana malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Ghana money and banking information includes the following:
• Banking hours are Monday-Thursday from 08h00 - 14h00, and Friday from 08h00 - 15h00
• Credit cards are only accepted at major hotels, stores and restaurants
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and major hotels
• Ghana currency is the Ghana Cedi (GHS) and Ghana pesewas
• ATM's are situated throughout major cities such as Accra and Kumasi

People

Ghana people include the following groups:
• Akan 45.3%
• Mole-Dagbon 15.2%
• Ewe 11.7%
• Ga-Dangme 7.3%
• Guan 4%
• Other 16.5%

Phrase

Ghana local phrase include the following (phonetically written for easy pronunciation):
• Meh daasay - Thanks
• Akwaaba - Welcome!
• Ete sen - How are you?
• Eh ye - I'm fine.
• Na wo so eh - And you, how are you?

Plants

Ghana plants life is rich and diverse, with a wide number of species that total well over a thousand. Trees, flowering plants, lush forest vegetation, palms, crops and key vegetation area includes ancient tropical forests which are rapidly declining. The country is fairly green in the remaining woodlands and forests, plus the wetlands and mangroves also offer an important biodiversity.

Population

A 2008 UN estimate puts the population in Ghana at 23,000,000.

Religion

Ghana religion includes the following groups:
• Christianity 69%
• Islam 16%
• Traditional and other religions 9%

Safety Tips

Ghana safety tips include the following:
• Currently, Ghana is safe to visit but precautions are advised
• Avoid all demonstrations and large crowds which may turn violent
• Bawku and Gushegu are subject to a curfew from 22h00 to 04h00
• Public beaches can be unsafe, with some theft and harassment reported
• Try not to walk around alone after dark, especially women travellers

Transport

Ghana transport options include the following:
• Car
• Bus
• Train
• Taxi

Travel Books

Ghana recommended travel books include the following:
• Ghana 4th Bradt Travel Guide by Philip Briggs
• Culture Smart! Ghana Guide by Ian Utley
• Three Cheers For Ghana! by Robert Peprah-Gyamfi

Visa Requirements

Ghana visa requirements include the following:
• Passport which is valid for six months at least
• ID or green card
• 2 Visa Application Forms
• 2 Passport photographs
• Copy of return airline tickets or itinerary

What To Buy

What to buy for Ghana safaris:
• Ghana travel guide and phrase book
• Sturdy backpack plus a decent money bag
• First aid kit with a range of basic supplies
• Plug adapter for UK or US travelers
• Sleeping bag and camping mattress if you are overlanding

What To Pack

What to pack for Ghana safaris:
• Loose, lightweight long sleeved clothing
• Warm jacket for cooler months and raincoat for rainy season
• Camera, spare batteries, binoculars and extra film or memory
• Sturdy, comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Swimming costume, sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen

When To Go

When to go to Ghana:
• The best time to travel is from December to April after the rainy season
• The north of the country is hottest during these months however
• The south is clearest during July and August when the rains calm down
• August and September are the best times to see local festivals
• Tourist high season is from June to August

Wildlife

Ghana wildlife is rich and diverse, with over 200 mammal species, 504 fish and 221 species of amphibians and reptiles to be found across the country's rich biodiversity hotspots, game reserves and natural habitats. Many of Ghana's wildlife species are endangered or vulnerable, and face further threats from poaching and habitat loss.