Essentials for First Time Travelers to Ghana
Welcome to Ghana!
A small country in the West of Africa, precisely along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Geographically, Ghana is located as close to the center of the world as you can be with the intersection of 0° longitude and latitude. Ghana is on GMT time, which means the country has the same time zone as London.
With a population of about 30 million, Ghana is one of the most prosperous countries in Africa, partly because of its considerable natural wealth and partly because it was the first Black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule.
The currency in Ghana is the Ghanaian cedi. It is often written as GH₵ or GHS. The main resources and exports in Ghana are gold, cocoa, diamonds, oil, coffee, sugar, shea nuts, and rubber. Its cocoa industry alone brings in nearly a billion pounds every year!
Some internationally famous Ghanaians are Kofi Annan, who was the secretary-general of the UN; the editor of British Vogue, Edward Enniful; and footballer Michael Essien.
Money
The new Ghana cedi, denoted by the symbol "GH₵" (ISO currency code: GHS), was introduced on 1 July 2007 with a variety of currency notations locally. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 new Ghana cedis. Coins of Ghana come in denominations of 1 and 2. Euros, dollars, and pounds sterling in cash are the most useful currencies to take with you and can be easily and safely changed at numerous forex bureaus. Always cross-check rates, as they are constantly subject to change. You can use Mastercard and Visa cards in selected hotels some shopping malls and airline offices.
Transportation
Moving around in Ghana commercially can be done by plane, car, bus, or ride-hailing apps such as Bolt or Uber.
Plane: There are a handful of internal flight companies in Ghana, primarily connecting Accra with Tamale in the north, Kumasi in the center, and Takoradi to the west. All aircraft are of a high standard, as is the service level of airline staff; flights run on time and are reasonably priced.
Taxi: Taxi are prevalent, easy to spot, safe, and, as a tourist, you will find they find you quick enough if you need one. To charter a taxi is more expensive than to share one, but prices are negotiable and almost always need to be bargained over. Always settle on a fare before getting in.
Trains: The railway system in Ghana has typically been quite limited, but routes are improving slowly in the south of the country. The trains currently in operation are unlikely to suit traveler itineraries and are more aimed at commuters.
Buses: This is the main way to do long-distance journeys in Ghana. They are generally safe and clean and often are air-conditioned too.
Tro-tro - A 'tro-tro' is almost any sort of vehicle that has been adapted to fit as many people, possessions, and occasionally livestock, as possible. Tro-tros are typically old, 12-passenger VW or Mercedes-Benz vans. Similarly to 'shared' taxis, tro-tros will run along fixed routes and have fixed fares, and will rarely run with less than capacity (so be prepared to wait). They are inexpensive.
Uber/Bolt in Ghana
Uber and Bolt are the most common apps for hailing rideshare in Ghana. While Uber is considered to be an expensive mode of transportation in other countries, in Ghana, most people use it to get from Point A to B. An average 5-15 minute ride with Uber or Bolt can range from ₵6-15 ($0.75-$1.88). On the pricier end, a 30+ minute ride will be $8-$15. In cities like Accra, where the traffic is heavy, the fares will rise but will never be outrageous, as traffic is often factored into fares. Uber and Bolt are the most efficient ways to get around because a ride can be requested on demand.
I recommend downloading both apps to compare prices and pick the platform that offers the best fare for that particular journey. Bolt is generally cheaper, but Uber sometimes wins that battle, so always check both to save some coins!
Enjoy your stay!
