Location
West Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea on the Greenwich Meridian.
Neighbours
La Cote d’Ivoire (West), Togo (East), Burkina Faso (North).
Total surface area
240,000 km2
Former name
Gold Coast
Former capital
Cape Coast
Current capital
Accra
International airport
Kotoka International Airport
Independence
March 6, 1957
Republic
July 1, 1960
Current political dispensation
Constitutional rule
Population
18 Million
Time
GMT
Official language
English
Main local languages
Ga, Akan, Hausa, Dagbani
Administrative regions
10 (Ten)
Rainfall pattern & temperature
Major season: April-July/August 18°-30°C
Minor season: September-October 18°-33°C
Dry season: December-January 24°C–38°C
Weather
Tropical and sunny year round. Light cotton clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sturdy walking shoes recommended.
Communication
IDD
Code (+233)-(21) + number; Sprint collect call to USA 019900 - AT&T
0191; AT&T UK 0194. Communication and business centres available
all over.
Electricity
220
volts - 120 volts appliances require adaptor/transformer. Electrical
outlets accept 3 or 2 pronged British or Continental European type
plugs.
Local currency
The Cedi (¢) in denominations of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 coins; 1000, 2000 and 5000 notes.
Foreign currency
There
are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency brought into the
country but the amount should be noted on the Customs Declaration Form
on arrival. Daily exchange rates are available at licensed forex
bureaus, banks and hotels for cash and travelers cheques. Money
transfer is available through the banks.
Banking Hours
Mondays-Fridays, 8:30 am – 3.00 pm
Credit Cards
American Express, Diners and Visa accepted local ones available for local currency transactions.
Business Hours
Monday-Friday 0800–1230hrs and 1330–1700hrs
National Airline
Ghana Airways
Flight arrangement
Reconfirm departure flight 72 hours in advance
Passport & visa
A
valid passport and visa is required for travel to Ghana. Ghana mission
and embassies abroad issue individual as well as group visa. In the
absence of a foreign mission, visas can be obtained on arrival at the
airport.
Health requirement
A
health certificate showing yellow fever vaccination. Consult your
doctor in advance for an anti-malaria treatment before departure.
Religion
Christianity, Islam, Traditional, Animist
Photography
Restricted Areas: Military installations, Osu Castle (seat of Government). Do not photograph people without their permission.
Social conduct & etiquette
Greet
people by shaking the right hand. A handshake is the key to everything.
Avoid the use of the left hand to greet and for other interactions with
people. A welcome drink should always be accepted. Dress discreetly and
appropriately. A gift of a bottle of local schnapps is appropriate when
visiting a fetish shrine or a local chief or village elder. |
