Ghana has an area (238 533 km²) roughly the size of the former mother country of Great Britain. Yet it has a population of only 32 million and its capital is Accra. The country thus gained independence from the British crown in 1957 and, as a colonial legacy, the official language is English. The people make their living largely from agriculture; the country exports cocoa, for example, but also coffee. Ghana also has considerable mineral resources, which bring wealth to the country. Tourism is still relatively limited.
Climate: Ghana has a tropical climate. In the north of the country, the dry season lasts from November to March, followed by the rainy season from April to October, which brings the rains. The heaviest rainfall occurs in August and September. In the south, however, rainfall is higher and there are even two rainy seasons along the coast, the first lasting from May to June and again until October. The rest of the year is dry. Temperatures hover in the high 30s throughout the year.
Security: Ghana is a safe country to visit, but in large crowds it's a good idea to beware of pickpockets. There are strong sea currents off Ghana.
Visa: With the exception of some African nationalities, visas are required for everyone. The visa application should be submitted to the Ghanaian embassy via their website well in advance of your trip, after which you should send your passport to the embassy. Please note that visa policies and prices are subject to change without notice. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.
Currency: Ghana uses the cedi (GHS) as its currency. You should take euro banknotes and exchange them at your destination or withdraw cash from an ATM.
Vaccinations and malaria: Ghana requires proof of yellow fever vaccination. In addition, hepatitis a and b vaccinations are recommended. Please ensure that your basic vaccinations are up to date. Malaria is prevalent throughout the year in Ghana, so anti-malaria medication is recommended.
Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.