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Ghana is one of West Africa's most accessible and stable countries, and its coast carries some of the most significant sites in Atlantic history: Cape Coast and Elmina castles, UNESCO-listed and unflinching in how they present the transatlantic slave trade. Inland, Kumasi remains the seat of the Ashanti kingdom with a vast central market and a living tradition of kente weaving and adinkra printing. Kakum National Park's rope canopy walkway hangs 40 metres above the rainforest, and the beaches west of Accra are quiet and warm year-round.
Capital
Accra
Population
~34 million
Area
238,533 km²
Time Zone
GMT (UTC+0), no daylight saving
Currency
Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
Languages
English (official); Twi, Ewe, Ga and Dagbani widely spoken
Main Airports
ACC (Kotoka International, Accra), KMS (Kumasi)
Visa
Visa required in advance for most nationalities; apply at a mission or through the e-visa system
Best For
Slave castles and history, Ashanti culture, rainforest, beaches, highlife music
Typical Cost Level
Budget to Mid-range
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Most nationalities need a visa arranged before arrival, applied for at a Ghanaian mission or through the online system. ECOWAS citizens enter freely. You will need a passport valid for six months, proof of onward travel, hotel bookings and a yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is mandatory and checked on arrival. Processing typically takes one to three weeks, so apply well ahead of your trip.
November to March is the dry season and the most comfortable time to travel, with lower humidity and good road conditions. December is especially lively, with a large diaspora return around the Year of Return and Afrochella-style festivals in Accra. The Harmattan wind blows Saharan dust south in December and January, which cools things but creates haze. April to June is the main rainy season, and September to October brings a shorter second wet period.
Ghana is one of West Africa's safest and most politically stable countries, and visitors are generally welcomed warmly. Petty theft and opportunistic scams occur in Accra, particularly around markets and transport hubs, so keep valuables secure and agree taxi fares in advance. Road travel is the biggest practical risk, with poor lighting and aggressive driving on intercity routes. Malaria is present year-round, so prophylaxis and mosquito precautions are essential.
The Ghanaian Cedi (GHS) is the currency and cash is essential outside Accra's larger hotels and restaurants. Mobile money is extremely widespread among Ghanaians and increasingly accepted by small businesses. ATMs are common in cities but can run empty at weekends. US dollars and euros exchange easily at forex bureaux, which give better rates than banks or hotels. Bring notes in good condition, as damaged or older US bills are often refused.
Ten days to two weeks covers Ghana well. Allow two to three days in Accra, then two or three on the Cape Coast for Elmina and Cape Coast castles and the Kakum canopy walkway, and two to three in Kumasi for Ashanti culture and the Manhyia Palace. Add days for the Volta Region's waterfalls, Mole National Park in the north for elephants, or the beaches at Busua and Ada. Road journeys are slower than distances suggest.
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Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
