Getting In and Around

Visas: Before traveling to Ghana, make sure that your passport is not about to expire; you could be refused entry to the country if your passport will expire within six months of your planned departure date. Most tourists traveling to Ghana will require an entry visa. Travelers must apply for this visa at a Ghanaian embassy. Expect the visa process to take approximately two weeks. The visa will be good for up to 60 days.

By law, visitors entering Ghana must be able to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate. In practice, you will most likely not need to produce that document, but for safety’s sake we suggest that you obtain one before entry.

Transportation: Ghana International Airlines flies between London, Accra, and Düsseldorf. Beginning in the spring of 2010, United Airlines began flying a daily non-stop from Washington, D.C., to Accra. Other major airlines with flights in and out of Accra include Alitalia, British Airways, Egypt Air, Emirates, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, and Royal Air Maroc.

Traveling by bus is the most efficient and safest way to get around Ghana, especially between major centers. The State Transport Company offers regular and reliable bus routes throughout the country. Driving is also very common in Ghana, and despite the country’s British colonial heritage, Ghanaians drive on the right, not the left. Travelers commonly rent a car or hire a driver for the duration of their trip. Hiring a driver for one or more days can be an affordable alternative to renting a car, and the price is often negotiable.

Mobile Phones: If you have an unlocked GSM mobile phone, it can be used in Ghana. Travelers can buy local SIM cards when they arrive, which will allow them to make calls at local rates.

Safety and Security

The U.S. Department of State’s consular website has a great deal of information about safety and security in Ghana. It can’t be repeated often enough: be sensible when you travel. Be alert and aware of your surroundings.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has created a security ratings system called the Ibrahim Index, wherein scores are based on each country’s quality of government. Before traveling to Ghana or anywhere on the continent, check the index and do your research.