Prepare for your visit to Ghana
Money ►
The Ghanaian currency is the Ghana Cedi. Unfortunately you can’t change your currency into Ghana Cedis before arrival in Ghana.
Try one or more of the following ways to obtain Cedis whilst in Ghana:
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ATM. Before coming to Ghana, contact your bank or credit card company to enquire if and where your ATM card is accepted in Ghana. For example; you can use a foreign ATM card with a Cirrus or Maestro logo printed on it at the 'Stanbic Bank' in Ghana. Stanbic Bank has branches in the following cities: Accra, Tema, Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale, Tarkwa, Sunyani & Ho. .jpg) 'Stanbic Bank' branches in the capital Accra can be found at various locations: For example Silverstar-tower (Airport) or opp. Ridge Hospital. You can withdraw up to 1000 Cedi.Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) accepts ATM cards with Cirrus or Maestro logo as well. In case you wish to use ATM machines from other banks in Ghana (other than Stanbic Bank or GCB), a Visa card is required. Enquire from your bank beforehand if your visa card has an ATM option that works overseas. In Ghana, your Visa card is accepted by ATMs from Barclays bank, Eco bank, Standard Chartered bank, and other smaller banks. |
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| • | Bring along your foreign currency in cash (Euros, USD, GBP). You can change money at exchange offices ('Forex Bureaus') and banks. Banks normally open from 8.30 to 4pm and on Saturdays from 9 to 2pm. | ||
| • | In case you choose to use our airport pickup service, we can also change your currency to Cedi upon prior request. | ||
| • | Traveller cheques. Some visitors advised us not to encourage the use of traveller cheques. This is due to the limited possibilities to cash them and often only small amounts. | ||
| • | Credit card. You can use your credit card at some hotels and restaurants (Visa or Mastercard). However, to prevent unauthorized use of your card, for example for internet purchases, be cautious when using your card and keep an eye on it at all times. | ||
Visa requirements ►
All foreign visitors to Ghana are required to hold a valid passport with a Ghanaian visa (except visitors from West African ECOWAS countries). A tourist visa is stamped for 60 days upon arrival in Ghana (thus valid for 2 months).
Applications for a Ghanaian visa should be made to the nearest Ghana Consulate or Embassy.
| • | For online visa application (UK nationals only) visit www.ghanahighcommissionuk.com | |
| • | For the Ghanaian Embassy in the USA visit www.ghanaembassy.org | |
| • | For an extension of your visa (after 2 months) visit www.ghanaimmigration.org |
Safety ►
Ghana is a safe country. However in and around the bigger cities (such as Accra, Kumasi & Tamale) there are minor incidents of crime and theft. Sometimes theft from small motorbikes occurs in the evening and night. Therefore be a bit cautious in busy areas or places popular for foreigners. Some of these places in Accra are ‘Osu’, in and around ‘Kwame Nkrumah circle’, the old city centre, ‘Labadi beach’ and especially during busy street events. There is no need to panic though you may wish to avoid using ATMs at night, carry handbags or using expensive mobile phones at night.
| • | For official travel information by US authorities visit www.travel.state.gov | |
| • | For official travel information by UK authorities visit www.fco.gov. uk |
Health ►
For advice about tropical diseases, malaria and immunizations have a look at the following websites: www.traveldoctor.co.uk (UK) or www.thetraveldoctor.com (USA).
The only immunization required by Ghanaian authorities is Yellow Fever. All others are optional. You need to discuss with your doctor or travel clinic which ones are advisable in your situation.
You may wish to bring along some first aid items such as Imodium to stop diarrhoea, Paracetamol, O.R.S. (Oral Rehydration Salt), mosquito repellent, sun cream, plasters and sterile bandages.
Malaria ►
Malaria is a real health threat in Ghana and without protection you are likely to get infected. Preventive malaria tablets minimize this risk and reduce the intensity of a possible malaria attack. The 2 most commonly used preventive malaria tablets are Lariam and Malerone. Malerone causes less side effects than Lariam but you will need to take it daily while Lariam is taken once a week.
It is advised to use mosquito nets at night and to buy them prior to your arrival in Ghana. Note that most hotels do not provide mosquito nets. It is also advised to bring along mosquito repellent (containing ‘DEET’: indicated on the product), as well as wearing long sleeves and trousers in the evening.
If you are not taking preventive malaria tablets, you can buy inexpensive short term malarial treatments over the counter in Ghana (such as Coartem, Artesunate and smaller brands). If you buy them in advance, your treatment is at hand whenever you begin to display malarial symptoms.
Symptoms include fever, chills, aches and pains, lack of appetite, lethargy... For more information about malaria please visit www.traveldoctor.co.uk/malaria.
Hospitals in Ghana ►
A good general health practitioner is Dr. Jane Ansafo-Mensah at Philips Clinic, Accra, Tel. 00233 (0)30276 8681, located at 12 Adembra Road, East Cantonments. She has an on-site laboratory as well. An excellent UK trained dentist is Dr. Dennis Ilogu at Beaver Dental Clinic(www.beaverdentist.com) at Airport Residential, Tel. 00233 (0)302771785.
Good clinics frequently used by expats and foreigners are: Lister Hospital (www.listerhospital.com.gh ) at Spintex Road in Accra (Tel. 00233 (0)302812 325 & 00233 (0)302812326) & Nyaho Medical Center at Airport Residential, Accra (Tel. 00233 (0)302775291 / 00233 (0)302775341).
| Climate & Weather ► |
Ghana’s climate is classified as tropical to sub-tropical. Temperatures range from 24 to 34 degrees Celcius (75 to 93o F.). In the northern part, the weather is hot and dry and in the south more humid. The rainy season starts around May and ends around September, with short heavy rains every now and then.
Currency ►
The currency is the Ghana Cedi. For the Euro-Cedi rate click here.
For the USD-Cedi rate click here.
Supermarkets ►
In Accra, the biggest supermarkets are Koala in Osu (Oxfort str.) and MaxMart located near 37 Military Hospital and their latest store at A&C Shopping Mall in East Legon. You can find a big shopping mall with various outlets at Tetteh Quarshie Circle (close to the Shangri La Hotel). www.accramall.com
| Current time in Ghana ► |
Ghana’s standard time is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Ghana does not use daylight-saving time.
Bargaining ►
In general, you can bargain for prices at the market, Accra’s ‘Arts Centre’ (souvenir market) and furthermore in taxi’s and with roadside sellers. In shops, bars, restaurants and hotels this is usually not the case. There are no clear guideline however, but in general you can negotiate 50% off the initial mentioned price.
Ghana & Accra map ►
We offer a detailed roadmap of Ghana, this includes a map of Accra with streetindexes and a booklet with tourist information. Prices are 25 Euro or 35 US Dollar (including delicery to your mailing address).
Click here to order.
Tipping ►
Ghanaian workers appreciate tips. The average hospitality worker lives on a very small wage. The tips supplement their salary. If their service is good, and your needs are attended to promptly and efficiently, a tip or gratuity of 10% is most adequate.
Taking pictures ►
It is advised to ask people beforehand or to keep a ‘low profile’ when taking pictures as it is not always appreciated.
Photographing government buildings as well as uniformed persons is prohibited. Furthermore, sellers at Accra’s main market, Makola market, do often not appreciate being photographed.
Drinking water ►
Tap water in Ghana is non potable. It is advised to buy bottles of mineral water. ‘Voltic’ and ‘Dasaani’ are two of the many brands of mineral water available in Ghana (about 80 'Cedi cent' = 80 Pesawa- per bottle). A cheap alternative are sachets of ‘pure water’, which are purified water being sold in small sealed plastic sachets. You can find them almost anywhere in Ghana for 5 'Cedi cent' (cent is called ‘Pesewa’). Street sellers sell pure water at busy crossings and traffic lights.
Electricity / Voltage ►
If you bring electrical appliances to Ghana they should operate on / or be adaptable to 220 -240 volts. Ghana uses UK-type sockets for 3-pronged plugs. You may need to buy an adapter or a step-down transformer or otherwise a multi-socket to be able to use your electronic devices. A multi-socket or ‘step-down’ transformer can be purchased locally as well.
Ghana experiences frequent power cuts and fluctuations. It is therefore advised to bring along a flashlight and/or candles.
Language ►
As a former British colony the official language in Ghana is English. On the streets however you hear many of the local languages such as ‘Twi, Ga, Hausa or Ewe’. Twi is the most dominant language in Ghana.
Note that in remote areas and villages, English is not as proficient as elsewhere in Ghana.
Mobile phone ►
You can use your mobile phone in Ghana. Please check with your cellular carrier however to see if there is a supporting Ghanaian mobile network for you to roam while in Ghana. Alternatively, you can purchase & register a cheap prepaid sim card in Ghana (Note: bring your passport along to register your chip before activated). You can use the sim with your own mobile phone (Note: your phone needs to be simlock-free in order to do so). Reliable Ghanaian networks are MTN, Vodafone, Airtel and Tigo. It is however important to specify that coverage at some places -such as the beach or remote places- is poor or non-existent. With a Ghanaian sim card, you can make relatively cheap calls in and outside Ghana.
Traffic ►
In 
general, there is a lot of traffic in Accra. You will find the road traffic rules and regulations in Ghana quite different from what you are used to.
Furthermore, always be aware that cars in general do not give way to pedestrians; so if you need to cross a busy street, you should at least make a gesture to attract the attention of drivers. When you ride a bicycle, beware of taxis and small buses as they can suddenly stop or park to pick up passengers.
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Wli waterfalls
Wli Falls are situated in the heart of a tropical forest, 20km from Hohoe. Wli is the highest waterfall in Ghana and is fed year-round by the waters of the Agumatsa 
River. Reaching the falls is fun and adventure-filled. You must cross 11-log bridges which span the meandering river before arriving at the falls. Besides the spectacular view, your reward is the brisk, refreshing water which is great for swimming and makes an excellent natural cooler for your beer. Thousands of bats make their home among the cliffs which surround the falls. If you are coming form Accra, the drive to Wli takes about 3 hours.
The Wli Waterheights Hotel is a friendly and recommendable place to stay close to the falls. Source: ghanaexpeditions.com
Kente weaving village
To this day, Adanwomase carries on the centuries-old Kente-weaving tradition. 
Under the guidance of the Kente Chief, Adanwomase weavers continue to weave cloths for the Ashanti King, royals, and anyone in the world who appreciates the history and cultural significance woven into Ashanti Kente.
Adanwomase is a recognised eco-tourism project in Ghana.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Kente Tour
A trained tour guide will tell you about the history, meanings and production steps of Ashanti Kente Cloth, offering you a chance to try your hand at thread spinning, warping and weaving.
2. Town Tour
Learn Adanwomase’s 
history and culture by visiting the chief’s palace, the traditional healer’s shrine, Adanwomase’s first house, cocoa farms, a forest shrine, and much more.
Beach House
The 'Ayikoo Beach house' is perfectly located in tropical idyllic surrounds with a quiet sandy beach right at your doorstep. The beach house is situated nearby the fishing village of Ampenyi. The house can accommodate 6 people. For those interested: We offer a discount 
for 'Ghana Car Rental' clients.
Pls. contact for details.
Sightseeing around the Ayikoo Beach House:
A short drive from the beach house takes you to the historic towns of Cape Coast and Elmina. Elmina is a busy fishing community with a fascinating as well as sad history of slavery. You can visit the old colonial fort St. George, the museum and colonial cemetery in town.
Another interesting site is Kakum national park comprised of mostly undisturbed rainforest.
Do not miss out on the canopy walk. You can walk over tree tops by hanging on canopy bridges. It offers stunning views. A fun place for lunch afterwards is Hans cottage crocodile pond which is a home to crocodiles, turtles and many species of birds.
Hippo Sanctuary
Stretching 40km along the eastern bank of the Black Volta River, the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary is a riverine protected area for hippos and associated species. It is home to one of only two remaining groups of hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) in Ghana. Bird life is also spectacular, with over 200 species on record. Ecotourism has helped to bring international support for the community, including solar lighting for the 17 sanctuary villages, a new school and 7 boreholes for safe drinking water.
The hippos are best seen at dawn and dusk. The best time of the year for viewing is the dry season (from December till May) when the water level is at its lowest level. When the season is hot wear a hat and drink lots of water! Day trips are possible, but the overnight experience is recommended.
Stop at the visitor centre in the village of Wechiau to arrange your tour. A guide will lead you to the hippo sanctuary; then experience a river safari in a dugout canoe and see the resident hippo group, birds and mammals, as well as fishermen plying their nets.
Visit a Lobi compound and meet a family going about their daily chores.
Sleep at a hippo hide overlooking the Black Volta River to experience a night in the riverine forest. You will hear hippos and possibly see them as they come onto the banks to feed themselves. Finally wake to the dawn chorus of birdsong.
About us
ghana-car-rentals.com is an enterprise initiated by 'Ayikoo Tours': A reliable and flexible tour company with 5 years experience in Ghana. The Ghana Tourist Board has recognised and officially licensed Ayikoo Tours as a tour operator.
