What You Need to Know About Ghana & West Africa

What You Need to Know About Ghana & West Africa

Entry Requirements
You need a visa to travel to Ghana and other West African countries. 
This can be obtained from the appropriate Ghana embassy or consulate in your country of residence. A valid international yellow fever vaccination certificate is required as proof of vaccination within the past 10 years. You are also advised to consult your doctor well in advance of your visit so that you may begin malaria prevention treatment. This is usually in tablet form.

Climate/Clothes 
As a typical tropical region, West Africa has an average monthly temperature ranging of between 21c and 45c (70f – 110f). It is important therefore to travel with appropriate clothing/protection e.g. light cotton clothes, sunscreens, lip balm, insect repellent, open canvass shoes and hiking boots, sunglasses and hats. The air conditioned vehicles can become quite cool during mornings and evenings, therefore we suggest that you bring along a sweater to wear when needed. Once in West Africa you are advised to drink as much bottled water as possible.  This will prevent dehydration.

Medical Problems
It is advisable to let your guide or Heritage Africa Tours knows about any ailment that you have in case of any emergency. We suggest that you bring along any medicines you are taking because you may not find the same kind here in Ghana. We advise that you keep your medicine on you at all times.

Food
Ghana has an abundance of food grown locally or imported and you can usually find a wide variety of continental and local Ghanaian dishes in most Ghanaian restaurants. There are also many international restaurants, which specialize in food from countries such as China, India, and Indonesia, Eastern & Western Europe as well as other West African countries. There are fast food chains that serve fried chicken, hamburgers, French fries etc. We definitely encourage visitors to sample the local dishes. However, be careful with the local hot pepper, called shito and we suggest that you Do Not eat food from street vendors. Only drink sealed bottled water, which is readily available and can be purchased at most grocery stores throughout Ghana.

Foreign Currency Exchange
The currency used in Ghana is known as the Ghana Cedi. Foreign currency can be exchanged at Forex bureaux, which generally give a better rate, and banks. Forex bureaux exchange rates vary from place to place, however, the difference is normally very small. Notes in larger denominations attract a higher rate.  Travelers’ checks are changed at a much lower rate than notes in a few forex bureaux and banks. Visa and American Express cards can be used to obtain cash advances at banks but are not widely used for purchasing goods outside the major international hotels. 

Bargaining 
An interesting aspect of shopping in Ghana is that apart from fixed prices of items on sale, there is the bargaining system, where the buyer and the seller negotiate on the price. Usually, the seller starts the price 80% above the normal price, so you have to be persuasive enough to beat the price down. It is also very important that you shop around to establish the price of a commodity before buying. But like the saying goes, a good price is what the item is worth to you.

Electrical Appliances
Please note that Ghana operates on 220 volts. If you are coming from any country that operates on lower volts, you will need to bring an adapter. Electrical outlets accept either the three pronged or two pronged plugs.

Entrance Fee for Cameras/Videos
You are allowed to take pictures at most tour sites. However, you should note that there are charges of between $2.00 to $5.00 for taking cameras and videos into these tour sites.

Packing to Depart to Ghana
For quick identification of your luggage, all group members should use the same bright colored ribbon tags. As a precaution, you should tag all lugages with your business address, your destination, dates of stay and the name of the Airline and Flight number as well.  Remember to remove all old luggage tags so that airline luggage handlers neither do nor get confused. Make a list of contents of each bag, especially if you will be switching airlines. If you have to force your luggage shut, it means you have over packed.  Do not risk this as it may burst open.

Carry on Luggage
In case your large luggage does not arrive with you; include an extra change of clothing in your carry on. Also include medicine, eye glasses and valuables such as cameras, jewelry, and cash. 

Packing to Leave Ghana 
If you buy items that need packing this can be handled in two ways:
• By buying local bags and checking it in with your luggage. This bag comes in three different sizes. It is commonly used by tourist to ship stools and other artifacts.
• By hiring a professional packing company. This will cost you a little more money but in using a packing company, you are assured that your items will not get damaged. You can still check in your package as part of your luggage. However, please bear in mind that you are only allowed two pieces of luggage. Rates range from $100.00 to $300.00 for one extra piece of luggage. 

Gifts
Most tourists enjoy giving gifts, especially to those that live in villages. We commend this generosity. However, we would ask you not to give gifts in situations where there are more than five people around. If you do so, you may attract a crowd and you could be mobbed. It is recommended that you ask your tour guide for assistance before dispensing gifts.

Hotels 
For the purpose of prevention of fire and for safety of our guests, which is our most concern, the following regulation should be observed strictly: Turn off all electrical appliances before going to bed at night.

Safety of Valuable Items
Thefts are very rare in the hotels, but for the purpose of certainty and to protect your valuables from pilferage; an item such as gold trinkets, necklaces, rings and money should never be left casually in the room. Safe deposit box are available in most of the high category hotel rooms or can be acquired at the hotel front desk. 

Communications
At your hotel you will have access to phones with international lines, faxes and email; however, this may be different once you leave cities to the countryside. There are also many communication/business centers in most cities and towns.

Tips
Tips are encouraged for better relations. You may carry smaller denominations in your pocket to satisfy those who offer services. The amount you give depends on the quality of the service received.

Photographs
You may take photographs anywhere except at military and police installations, zones and residences. The Airports, police and military installations and the official residence of the president are prohibited. Pictures of individuals may be taken with their permission. When in doubt consult your guide.

Social Ethics

Ghana like every other country in the world has its own code of social ethics. In Ghana, it is considered a gross insult or anathema to receive, give or point at someone with your left hand.

Trade and Business
We suggest that you do not enter into trade or business transactions with casual friends, they may not be genuine. Those who wish to do so must seek the advice of consultants. We suggest that you do not buy precious minerals from unlicensed dealers, they may not be genuine.

If Something Goes Wrong
If your luggage does not arrive on your flight alert airline personnel immediately, it may still be on board. If your luggage is not found you should fill out a copy of a baggage claim form from the Airline, and return it to the airline officials. If your luggage has been damaged, check if all its contents are intact right away. If you notice something, report to the airline representative and s/he will write a written report known as a Property Irregularity Report.

What to Do to Enjoy Your West African Trip

West Africa is still developing so a three star or a four star hotel in the US or Europe will be different from that of West Africa. Your trip will be pleasant if you do not compare things with the US or Europe. In other words you should appreciate West Africa the way it is. There are possibilities that your itinerary might change but this seldom happens, but if it happens the changes are normally very minor. So you will still have a great trip. Service may be a bit slow, so it is always advisable to place your orders for meals early, relax and have the patience to wait. Ghana is unique in its culture and you will definitely notice a lot of cultural differences.

For further information that is accurate, update and unbiased, we suggest you read the Bradt Rough Guide for West Africa.