Country Profile - GHANA

General Information

Area: 238,537 sq km (92,100 sq miles).

Population: 18,412,247 (official estimate 2000).

Population Density: 77.2 per sq km.

Capital: Accra. Population: 1,976,000 (official estimate 2000).

GEOGRAPHY: Ghana is situated in West Africa and is a rectangular-shaped country bordered to the north by Burkina Faso, the east by Togo, the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the west by Côte d’Ivoire. A narrow grassy plain stretches inland from the coast, widening in the east, while the south and west are covered by dense rainforest. To the north are forested hills beyond which is dry savannah and open woodland. In the far north is a plateau averaging 500m (1600ft) in height. In the east the Akuapim Togo hills run inland from the coast along the Togo border. The Black and White Volta rivers enter Ghana from Burkina Faso merging into the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Volta. Ghana’s coastline is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1957. Head of State: President John Agyekum Kufuor since 2001.

Language: The official language is English. Local Ghanaian languages are widely spoken, including Ewe, Fante, Ga and Twi.

Religion: Christian (69 per cent), Muslim and traditional beliefs. All forms of religion have a strong influence on Ghanaian life.

Time: GMT.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; usually three-pin plugs. Single phase three-pin plugs are used in larger buildings. Older buildings have two-pin plugs. Light bulbs are of the bayonet type.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD service is available in most parts of the country. Country code: 233. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network. Coverage is patchy. Operators include Ghana Telecommunications Company Ltd (website: www.ghanatel.net), Spacefon (website: www.spacefon.com) and Millicom Ghana Ltd.

Fax: There is a 24-hour fax service in Accra.

Internet: ISPs include Ghana.com (website: www.ghana.com).

Telegram: Services are available from Ghana Telecom, High Street, Accra and Stewart Avenue, Kumasi. There are three charge rates.

Post: Airmail letters to Europe may take 2 weeks or more to arrive.

Press: Daily and weekly newspapers are available in English and include Daily Graphic, The Ghanaian Times (both daily), Business and Financial Times, New Nation, The Mirror and Weekly Spectator (all weekly).

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes Yes Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for 3 months required by all except:

(a) Nationals of ECOWAS countries who will be allowed entry with a valid travel certificate.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 3 months:

(a) nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Togo and Zimbabwe;

(b) nationals of China (PR) for stays of up to 2 months provided holding Hong Kong (SAR) or China passports;

(c) those in transit to a third country travelling within 24 hours, as long as they hold onward tickets with reserved seats and do not leave the airport.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist/Business: £30 (single-entry); £40 (multiple-entry; 6 months); £60 (multiple-entry; 1 year); £70 (multiple-entry; 2 years). Transit (if continuing onward journey within 24 hours and not leaving the airport): £10.

Validity: Valid for 3 months from the date of issue. However, length of stay is at the discretion of airport officials and only 1 month is guaranteed. Visas may be extended when in Ghana.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section for details.

Application requirements: : (a) Valid passport. (b) Completed entry permit application form (this must be copied four times if downloaded from the Internet). (c) Four passport-size photos. (d) Registered or recorded self-addressed envelope. (e) Fee (payable by cash, postal order or bankers’ draft made payable to the High Commission). Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) Evidence of return ticket and/or a letter of guarantee from a company in support of the application (the letter should explain the nature of business the applicant will be conducting in Ghana).

Working days required: 4 for personal, 14 for postal applications.

Temporary residence: Application with sufficient notice to be made to High Commission or Embassy.

Money

Currency: Cedi (¢) = 100 pesewas. Notes are in denominations of ¢5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2.5, 1 and 0.5 pesawas.

Currency exchange: The exchange rate system has been liberalised and foreign currency is freely available through authorised dealers including banks and Forex Bureaux. Cash is exchanged at a more preferential rate than travellers cheques.

Credit & debit cards: Credit cards are accepted by leading hotels, restaurants, banks and businesses. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Some banks may give cash advances against leading cards.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is limited to amounts which have previously been permitted to be taken out of the country and this must be noted in the passport/travel documents; it must also be declared. Unused local currency can be re-exchanged on proof of authorised exchange, and visitors are advised to retain all currency exchange receipts. The export of local currency is limited to ¢5000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration (on exchange control form T5 which must be retained to record transactions). The export of foreign currency is limited to US$5000.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Cedi against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug '03 Nov '03 Feb ’04 May '04 £1.00= 13639 14831.3 16154.7 16092.8 $1.00= 8560.6 8740.00 8875.00 9010.00

Note: The Cedi is pegged to the US Dollar at an adjustable rate.

Banking hours: Mon-Thurs 0830-1400, Fri 0830-1500.

Duty Free

Duty-Free: The following goods may be imported into Ghana by persons aged 16 and over without incurring customs duty:

400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 750ml of spirits or 750ml of wine; 227ml of perfume.

Note: Duty must be paid on gifts.

Restricted items: Animals, firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 6 Independence Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 4 Anniversary of the 1979 Coup. Jul 1 Republic Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 6 National Farmers’ Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Dec 31 Revolution Day. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 21 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 6 Independence Day. Mar 25 Good Friday. Mar 28 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 4 Anniversary of the 1979 Coup. Jul 1 Republic Day. Nov 3-5 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 6 National Farmers’ Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Dec 31 Revolution Day.

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required? Yellow Fever Yes 1 Cholera Yes 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all nationals entering the country.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Ghana. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix.

3: Immunisation against typhoid is usually advised.

4: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country. Resistance to chloroquine is reported.

Food & drink: Tap water in cities is safe to drink, according to the Ghanaian High Commission in London. Other water sources should be regarded as being potentially contaminated, and water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers are common. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A and E are widespread. Hepatitis B is endemic. Hepatitis C occurs, as do dengue fever and TB. Epidemics of meningitis and meningococcal disease may occur throughout tropical Africa, particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry season. Immunisation against diphtheria is sometimes recommended. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Health insurance is essential, preferably with cover for emergency evacuation. Medical facilities exist in all the regional capitals as well as in most towns and villages.

Travel – International

Note: There is a state of emergency in the Tamale municipality and Yendi District of the Northern Region of Ghana. If considering travelling to the Northern Region, visitors should be alert to the potential for outbreaks of fighting: violent crime is increasing. While most visits to Ghana are trouble-free, a high level of vigilance in public areas - and when travelling by road - should be exercised.

AIR: Ghana’s national airline is Ghana Airways Corporation (GH). It provides flights from Accra to London and New York three times a week. Other airlines serving Ghana include Alitalia, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss and United Airlines.

Approximate flight times: From London to Accra is 6 hours 30 minutes (direct) or 8 hours 25 minutes (with stopover in Kano). From New York is 9 hours 30 minutes (direct).

International airports: Accra (ACC) (Kotoka), 10km (6 miles) north of Accra (travel time – 20 minutes). Taxis to the city are available. Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, car hire, duty-free shops, restaurants and tourist information.

Departure Tax: US$20.

SEA: Ghana has two deep-water ports, one at Takoradi, the other at Tema. Ships run between Tema and Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and South Africa.

ROAD: A coast road links Lagos (Nigeria), Cotonou (Benin) and Lomé (Togo) to Accra. The best internal road from Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) runs inland through Kumasi. The main north–south route is also in good condition. Buses and taxis run between Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Ghana. The road from Burkina Faso crosses the border at Navrongo. Long-distance taxis operate between Ghana and neighbouring countries. See Travel – Internal for information on documentation.

Travel – Internal

AIR: Ghana Airways also provides a domestic service between Accra, Kumasi and Tamale.

Departure tax: ¢1000.

LAKE: A lake steamer runs regularly across Lake Volta between Akosombo and Yeji. Ferries connect at Yeji for Buipe and Makongo, from both of which it is possible to arrange onward transportation to Tamale.

RAIL: The rail network is limited to a 1000km (600-mile) loop by the coast connecting the cities Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi and several intervening towns. Trains run at least twice a day on all three legs of this single-track triangle. There are two classes of ticket. Passenger cars are not air conditioned. Children under 3 years of age travel free; half-fare is charged for children aged 3 to 11.

ROAD: There are 38,940km (24,196 miles) of roads, generally in good condition although the stretch between Kamasi and Tamale may be prone to pot-holes. Traffic drives on the right.

Car hire: Available but extremely expensive, with or without driver. Coach: State-run and private coach services connect all major towns. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A British driving licence is valid for 90 days.

URBAN: Roads in the major towns have undergone massive renovation to improve traffic flow. Accra has extensive bus and taxi services operated by the private sector. There are over 300,000 conventional taxis. Drivers do not generally expect tips. Other ways of getting around, for the more adventurous traveller, are tro-tros (minibuses) and mammy wagons (converted pick-up trucks).

Accommodation

HOTELS: There are a few international chain hotels in Ghana, all located in the capital. In addition to these there are international-standard hotels, hostels and guest houses throughout the country although they are mainly concentrated in the urban centres. Budget accommodation is available at university campuses in Accra, Cape Coast and Kumasi during the student holidays (Christmas, Easter and summer; June to September). Grading: Hotels, hostels and guest houses are star-graded and licensed by the Ghana Tourist Board.

CAMPING: Camping in national parks is possible, but only for the very adventurous, as it can be dangerous. In game reserves visitors must be accompanied by an armed guide.

BEACH HUTS: Ghana offers some basic beach hut accommodation, made from local materials, in popular beach resorts. For a list of such accommodation contact the Ministry of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section) or Ghanaweb (website: www.ghanaweb.com).

Sport & Activities

Wildlife: Compared to other African countries, Ghana’s national parks and game reserves are small, and relatively few tourists visit them. The country’s newest national park is the Kakum Nature Reserve which, in addition to animal species such as monkeys, antelopes and water buffalo, has an aerial walkway built through the rainforest canopy offering treetop views. Guided tours leave twice daily. Safaris are available in all of Ghana’s game reserves, including the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, the Bia National Park, the Bui National Park and the Mole Game Reserve, all of which are also good options for hiking and exploring the savannah and rainforest. For further information, see the Resorts & Excursions section.

Watersports: Although Ghana’s coast offers miles of sandy beaches, strong currents and tides can make bathing quite dangerous. Near Accra there are three swimming pools within yards of the surf. Ada, at the mouth of the River Volta, also offers safe swimming, although it is not advisable to swim upstream. Visitors should also make enquiries locally as there may be some risk of bilharzia. For those in search of sailing or water-skiing there are numerous centres with good facilities, particularly on Lake Volta, which has a yacht club at Akosombo, and at Ada. Another exhilarating experience is to be taken out over the surf in a local fishing boat. Sport fishing for barracuda is popular. The best spots for surfing are at Fete, Dixcove (both west of Accra) and Kokrobite (16km/10 miles from Accra).

Other: Ghanaians are keen footballers, tennis players and boxers. Another popular sport is horseracing, which takes place at the Accra racecourse every Saturday. There are golf courses at Accra, Achimota, Kumasi and Tema.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: International food is available in most large hotels and many restaurants serve a range of local traditional foods. On the coast, prawns and other seafood are popular. Dishes include traditional soups (palmnut, groundnut), Kontomere and Okro (stews) accompanied by fufu (pounded cassava), kenkey or gari. In Accra there are also restaurants serving Middle Eastern, Chinese, French and other European cuisine. Local beer (which is similar to lager) and spirits are readily available.

Nightlife: In Accra and other major centres there are nightclubs with Western popular music and Afro beat. Concerts can be seen at the national theatre in Accra. The School of Performing Arts, Univeristy of Ghana, Legon often hosts drama, poetry and cultural dancing shows. Foreign and Ghanaian films can be seen at the Ghana Film Theatre and Executive Film House in Accra.

Shopping: Almost all commodities, including luxury items, can be found in the shops and markets. Artefacts from the Ashanti region and northern Ghana can be bought along with attractive handmade gold and silver jewellery. Modern and old African art is also available (although prices are high), in particular Ashanti stools and brass weights formerly used to measure gold. In all the northern markets, earthenware pots, leatherwork, locally woven shirts and Bolgatanga baskets woven from multi-coloured raffia are sold. <B>Shopping hours:</B> Mon-Tue, Thurs-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1730, Wed-Sat 0800-1300.

Special Events: Ghanaian festivals are well worth seeing with drumming, dancing and feasting. Every part of the country has its own annual festivals for the affirmation of tribal values, the remembrance of ancestors and past leaders, and the purification of the state in preparation for another year. The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Ghana; for more information and exact dates, contact the tourist office (see Contact Addresses section):

Jan Edina Buronya (New Year), Elmina. Feb DipoKrobo, Odumase. Mar Gologo, Talensi, Tong-Zuf. Jul 5 Bakatue, Elmina. Aug Akwambo, Agona Nyakrom, Agona Swedru. Sep Odwira, Akropong; Kobine, Lowra. Nov Mmoaninko, Ofinso. Nov 5 Hogbetsotso, Anloga. Dec Fiok, Centime.

Social Conventions: Ghanaians should always be addressed by their formal titles unless they specifically request otherwise. Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. It is customary in much of West Africa not to use the left hand for touching food. Photography: Permission should be sought before photographing military installations, government buildings or airports. Tipping: When a service charge is not included, a 10 per cent tip is usual.

Business Profile

Economy: Agriculture occupies most of the working population, producing both subsistence and cash crops. The most important of the latter is cocoa, of which Ghana is one of the world’s major producers. Coffee and various fruit are the other main crops. Fishing has grown in importance since the acquisition of modern vessels. The country’s main industry is mining, particularly for diamonds and gold (produced at the famous Ashanti gold field), and this is both a major employer and an important foreign currency earner. Although recent mineral exploration failed to discover anticipated oil and gas deposits, new bauxite and manganese deposits have been identified. Manufacturing is concentrated in food processing, textiles, vehicles and chemicals. The country’s energy needs are met by hydroelectric projects; these produce a surplus which Ghana sells to its neighbours. As a primary commodity producer, Ghana has suffered from consistently low world prices for its main products throughout much of the last 20 years. Since the late 1980s, Ghana has been something of a laboratory for a new regime for less developed countries devised by the International Monetary Fund and known as a Structural Adjustment programme. Customised for each state, the IMF, in conjunction with the World Bank offers steady financial support to the national exchequer in exchange for government undertakings to implement agreed economic policies. The latter are based on liberalisation of the economy, the removal of trade barriers, privatisation of state-owned assets and firm budgetary control (leading invariably to cuts in social and welfare spending). Despite the notable lack of tangible benefits to the population as a whole, the Ghana programme has been judged a qualified success and the country has since been regularly cited as a role-model for the developing world. Current growth is around 4 per cent. Ghana is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The UK, Switzerland, Nigeria, the USA, Germany, Japan and The Netherlands are Ghana’s principal trading partners.

Business: Appointments are customary and visitors should always be punctual for meetings. Best time for business visits is from September to April. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1700, Sat 0830-1200.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 2325, Accra (tel: (21) 662 427; fax: (21) 662 210; e-mail: gncc@ghana.com; website: www.g77tin.org/gncchp.html).

Climate

Climate: A tropical climate, hot and humid in the north and in the forest land of Ashanti and southwest plains. There are two rainy seasons in Ghana: from March to July and from September to October.

Required clothing: Tropical lightweight clothing. Sunglasses are advisable.