Ghana Information For Tourists and Travelers

Train

The railway sector and service are being re-developed. The only few trains that exist are mostly for mining and cargo transport.

Taxi

Within towns and on some shorter routes between towns, shared taxis are the usual form of transport. They run on fixed routes, along which they stop to pick up and drop off passengers. Fares are generally very cheap (1-2cedis).
Private taxis don’t have meters and rates are negotiable. It’s best to ask a local in advance for the average cost between two points.
Taxis can be chartered for an agreed period of time, anything from one hour to a day, for a negotiable fee.

Uber

Uber officially arrived in Accra in September 2016 and has since been operating within Accra

Tro-Tro

Tro-tro is a catch-all category that embraces any form of public transport that’s not a bus or taxi. Generally, they’re minibusses.

Tro-tros cover all major and many minor routes. They don’t work to a set timetable but leave when full. Fares are set but may vary on the same route depending on the size and comfort (air-con) of the vehicle.

There is generally an additional luggage fee. The area where tro-tros and buses congregate is called, interchangeably, lorry park, motor park or station.

Buses are preferable to tro-tros (minibuses) for long journeys as they tend to be more comfortable and reliable.

There are bus services to all of Ghana’s main towns and cities. Intercity STC (http://stc.oyawego.com/) is Ghana’s main long-haul bus company. After near collapse, during which rival company VIP took much of its business, it’s back on its feet again, with new routes and a fleet of swish new buses. Other relevant bus companies for travellers include VIP (www.vipbusgh.com), which runs half-hourly buses between Accra and Kumasi, VVIP, which runs north of Accra to Kumasi and Tamale, and Metro Mass (www.metromass.com), which runs local services in various parts of the country. It’s wise to book in advance as tickets get snapped up fast on the more popular routes.
Services are usually less frequent on Sunday.

There is always a charge for luggage. Theoretically, it should be per kilogram, but in practice, large rucksacks or suitcases just tend to be charged a flat fee. Baggage handlers will expect a tip for loading your bags.

Driving is on the right in Ghana. Most main roads are in pretty good condition, though most secondary roads are untarred and could be bumpy. You will need an international driver’s licence todrive in Ghana. Fuel is inexpensive at around 4cedis per litre. Hiring a car with a driver is a good option if you’re short on time; travel agencies can usually arrange this. Depending on the distance, car and driver experience, factor in anything from US$100 to US$150 per day, plus fuel. Ghana Car Rentals is an excellent, professional company with reasonably priced vehicles.

Getting around Ghana by bike is certainly possible, however, there are rather very few bicycle lanes.

River and ferry transport is still under development in Ghana. However, the Akosombo–Yeji cargo ferry accepts a limited number of passengers on its once-weekly service and is an adventurous way of reaching Tamale (you can pick up transport to Tamale from Yeji). The journey is a relatively long one. It leaves Akosombo Port on Mondays and Yeji on Wednesdays. Standard seats cost about 20cedis, while an air-conditioned double cabin goes for about 90cedis per person.

Bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean and on the West by La Cote d’Ivoire, the East by Togo and the North by Burkina Faso. Ghana is a tropical country. The South Western part is located within the warm wet forest zone similar to the Amazon. Accra, the capital, is located in the dry equatorial zones. Kumasi is in the wet savanna. It lies between 4° and 11 ° North at the equator and has a coastline of 540 km.

Required by all.

Tipping is permitted in hotels, restaurants, etc. It is rarely added to the bill. Whenever it is not added the quality of service should dictate your generosity to the waiter, taxi driver, porter, tour guide, etc.

Visas are required by most non-residents except ECOWAS nationals. Ghana Missions and Embassies abroad will assist in issuing individual as well as group visas.

Ghana’s currency is the cedi which comes in denominations of GHC 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins come in denominations of GHC 2 and 1 and also 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p & 1 pesewas. Foreign currency can be freely exchanged at any Bank or Forex Bureaux in the country.

If you are bringing along any electrical appliances, they should operate on or be adaptable to 220 / 240 volts. Electric outlets in Ghana accept either 3pronged, or sometimes 2-pronged. British or Continental European type plus or converters.

Most major hotels also have business centers which provide secretarial and courier services. Ghana has six Telecommunications companies which provide voice and data services. with a valid Identity card/passport, one can acquire a sim from any of the telecos. You can make long distance telephone calls within the country. Collect calls to the USA, Europe and Asia are also available. USA direct dial is 019900 and UK is 0194.

Modern private and public hospitals and clinics are available in all cities and big towns. Tourist should contact travelers’ medical insurance companies to cover any medical contingencies while away from their home countries.