Passport and visas

A valid passport is mandatory.Visa requirements are subject to change and should be checked prior to travelling to Ghana , but at the time of writing, visas are required by most nationalities and must be acquired in advance at a Ghanaian Embassy or High Commission.

Health

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required. All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs. It is advisable to drink bottle water. Ghana boasts health services system throughout the country. All regional capitals and many districts have hospitals, polyclinics and clinics. Two (2) teaching hospitals in Accra and Kumasi have facilities for treating specialties.

In addition, a number of Religious organizations and private organizations and private medical practitioners operate hospitals and clinics all over the country. Herbal medicines and psychic healing are also generally practised, and there is a special government Natural Medicine Hospital and Reserve Centre at Akuapem Mampong.

Significantly, to circumvent the burdensome Cash & Carry system of health service delivery, the government has introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).The introduction of the NHIS is aimed at easing the burden of Ghanaians having to pay on-the-spot hospital bills for all kinds of treatments. As part of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS), the NHIS has been designed as a major component of the GPRS to deliver accessible and affordable health care to all residents in Ghana , more particularly the poor and vulnerable.

Money

The unit of currency is the cedi.The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference, but Euros and other major currencies are widely accepted. Some establishments accept credit cards and most large towns have ATM's.

Exports: Prohibition, Departure Tax And Insurance

Goods prohibited by law in Ghana : Narcotics, parrots, Ghanaian currency in excess of 5 000.00. All antiques need a permit from Museums and Movements Board. $50.00 per traveler at Airport or departure. It is recommended that visitors take personal accident and baggage insurance.

When To Visit

Ghana can be visited at any time of year, but the northern hemisphere winter – from October through to April – is most comfortable, thanks to lower humidity levels and less rainfall. This is also the best time of year for bird-watching, as resident species are supplemented by migrants from Europe and Northern Asia .

What To Wear

Conditions are generally hot, so bring lots of light clothing. A light jumper or sweatshirt might be useful to counter heavy sea breezes and slightly chiller nocturnal temperatures in the eastern highlands. Visitors ought to be sensitive to local dress codes and women should refrain from dressing too skimpily, except in the grounds of up market beach hotels. A hat, sunglasses and (during the rainy season) a waterproof jacket are recommended.

Getting About

Unusually for a former British territory, driving is on the right side, in keeping with the Francophone countries that border Ghana . Several car rental companies operate out of Accra and Tema, but visitors without experience of African roads are advised to take a vehicle with a driver rather than self-drive. The State Transport Company (STC) runs regular luxury coach services connecting Accra to Cape Coast , Takoradi, Kumasi and Tamale, and also offers services between most other major towns. Non-metered taxis are ubiquitous and inexpensive, but a fare should be agreed upfront.

Tipping

Tipping is not standard practice at local hotels and restaurants, but it will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% at tourist-oriented restaurants. Guides and drivers should always be tipped.

Public Holidays

Variable-date public holidays are Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid il Fitr and Eid il Adel. Fixed-date public holidays are January 1 (New Year's Day), March 6 (Independence Day), May 1 (May Day), May 25 (African Unity Day) and December 25/6 (Christmas/Boxing Day).

Arts & Crafts

Ghana is well known for its traditional crafts, in particular the colourful patterned kente cloth, which has been woven by the Asante and Ewe people for hundreds of years. Dye-stained adinkra cloth is also associated strongly with the Asante , who attribute different proverbs to each of 60 different adinkra signs, and is often worn on funerals and other important occasions. Hand-spun fugu cloth is a speciality in Bolgatanga and the village of Daboya , while wide straw hats and baskets are popular in the far north and east, and Sirigu in the north is an important centre of pottery. Craft stalls around the country also sell a wide selection of sculptures and masks made locally and in neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire .

Hotels & Conference Facilities.

Accra has several world class hotels. Accommodation of an international standard is also available at popular beach destinations such as Ada Foah, Fetteh, Cape Coast , Elmina, Busua, and Axim, as well as in Kumasi , Ho, Tamale and most other regional administrative capitals. Budget hotels are available in most towns, in some national parks, and at most beach locations. Ghana offers excellent conference facilities. The Accra International Conference Centre seats up to 1000 people and several smaller venues have modern interpretation services and seat up to 150 people.

Festivals

A popular feature of Ghana is the great many annual festivals held around the country, for the most part joyous affairs when locals dress up in their finest traditional attire and tourists are welcome to join in. Some of the most important of perhaps 100 local festivals are:

Eating Out