Geography: Ghana is on the coast of the Gulf of
Guinea in western Africa, sandwiched between
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Togo. It is
slightly smaller than the state of Oregon/USA.

• Ghana’s landscape consists mainly of plains
  and low plateaus covered by rain forests in
  the west and Lake Volta in the east. This is
  the world’s biggest man-made lake.

Name: Republic of Ghana. Formerly known as the Gold Coast, means
‘Warrior King’ in Mande (a language spoken all over West Africa).
Population: about 33 million people live in Ghana (2023)

• When meeting a group of people, it is good manners to begin shaking
  hands with the person on the right and move to the left, not the other
  way around.

Capital city: Accra, the most expensive city in Africa

• Means ‘ants’ in English, due to the anthills that surrounded Accra at
  one point.

Government: Unitary presidential republic
Languages: English is the official language. French is the governmental
and instructional language. Akan Twi is the native tongue of 44%, but
more than 200 dialects are also used.

Religion: 70% Christian, 18% Muslim and 5% Traditional
Currency: 1 Ghanaian Cedi (GHS) = 0.0093 USD

• Cedi is the Akan word for the cowry shell
• The currency can also be divided into smaller units, which are known
  as pesewas. A hundred pesewas form one Cedi

Economy: 3/5 of the GDP is derived from the services sector, agriculture
contributes almost 1/5, and industry about 1/4.

Import/Export: Imports refined petroleum, cars, rice,
delivery trucks, and coated flat-rolled iron. Exports gold, crude
petroleum, cocoa beans, cocoa paste, and coconuts, Brazil nuts
and cashews.
National Colors: red, yellow and green
President: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

On March 24, the Department of State updated the processing times for U.S. passport applications. Routine processing will take 10-13 weeks and expedited processing, which costs an additional $60, will take 7-9 weeks.  These new processing times only apply to new applications submitted on or after March 24.  Processing time begins the day we receive an application and do not include mailing time.

Travel Insurance

“Friends of UT” link to Gallagher, our broker:

• Coverage is similar to that provided for staff, faculty and administration at UT and it costs about $1.55 a day, though there is a quote system on the website.

24/7 Travel Assistance with International SOS

In addition to international health insurance coverage, UT partners with International SOS (ISOS) to provide 24/7 medical, security, and emotional assistance to our travelers while they are abroad.

ISOS can support UT travelers in many ways, including:

• Providing pre-travel, location-specific information, alerts, and advice via the ISOS website, available here.
• Locating and scheduling appointments with medical providers abroad.
• Replacing medication while abroad.
• Providing medical and/or security advice or emergency assistance abroad.
• For more benefits, see the following resource here.

International SOS’s network of medical and security services operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, all over the world. International SOS will also get in touch with UT as needed, depending upon the situation, and can even communicate with your family members back home.

To take advantage of this benefit:

1. Download and carry the International SOS membership card with you while abroad. This includes UT’s membership number (11BCAS080063) and ISOS 24/7 phone numbers.
2. Download the ISOS Assistance App. Includes location-specific health, safety, and security information and advice, the UT membership number (11BCAS080063), and ISOS 24/7 phone numbers.

Gallagher Travel Insurance Program Flyer (Voluntary Online Enrollment Option)

Entry Permits Requirements for Ghana

All visitors to Ghana must be in possession of a valid passport or legal travel documents.

All visitors entering Ghana must have valid entry visas.
All travelers above nine (9) months coming into or transiting through Ghana are required to have been vaccinated against Malaria/Fever at least Ten (10) days from the proposed date of departure and where already vaccinated, provide evidence/proof (certificate) indicating the duration of a vaccination status of not more than Ten (10) years before entering Ghana.

Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required upon arrival in Ghana for anyone over nine months of age.

Please visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on entry/exit requirements related to COVID-19 in Ghana.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ghana.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.

Visa Process

All applications MUST be completed online here.

• Applicants are strongly advised to secure a Visa before purchasing a ticket. 
• Payment for return postage is made online using debit or credit card. 
• Applicant’s details must be used even if payment is being made by a sponsor. 
• All incomplete/missing documents will be sent back to the applicant at their own expense. 
• NOTE: Visas will not be issued in passports which will expire in less than six (6) months. 

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Accra

No. 24 Fourth Circular Road,
Cantonments, Accra, Ghana

Telephone: +233-(0)30-274-1000
Emergency: +233-(0)30-274-1000
Email: ConsularAccra@state.gov
Visit their official site here.

View original source here.

CDC Traveler’s Health

View Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of travel health notices and recommendations for staying healthy on your trip here.

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Ghana

Routine Vaccinations for Ghana

Sources: CDC, WHO, and ISTM

Malaria is endemic in Ghana. Antimalarials are the best protection against infection.
Be sure to use mosquito repellents as a second barrier against the disease.

Don’t forget to compete the following items before departing on your trip to Ghana.

Before Departure

• Get your passport or confirm your passport won’t expire within 6 months of travel
• Research vaccines or medication needed from the CDC
• Obtain visa
• Book flights
• Obtain Travel Insurance

Up to 1 Week Before Departure

• Pack COVID card or photograph of COVID card
• Alert bank and credit of travel
• Make copies of travel documents and ID
• Download International SOS (ISOS) onto your phone
• Start packing

Travel Documents & Tips

• Get your passport well in advance & ensure your passport will not expire within 6 months of visiting
  • Make copies of your passport.
• Check to see if the country you’re visiting requires a visa.
• Print your boarding pass (in case your phone dies).
• Double check baggage requirements on all flights you take including any travel within a country

A Healthy Trip

• Give yourself time to get over jet lag (drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight)
  • Get plenty of rest before your trip and slightly adjust your schedule for time changes. Once you arrive, do your best to avoid naps.
• Airplane exercises
• Bring snacks.
• Pack extra clothes in your carry-on.
• Be careful with local drinking water (i.e. brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, and other beverages where water is added).

Health

• Check with the CDC and your doctor to see if any vaccinations are required or recommended.
• Take a basic first aid kit.
  • Include band-aids, pain reliever, sunscreen, and stomach sickness medications. Keep prescriptions, contacts, and eyeglasses in your carry-on. Prescriptions in the original bottle.

Money

• Inform your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling.
• Check that your credit card works internationally.
• Consider a credit card with non foreign transaction fees.
  • If you pay with a card, always pay in the local currency.
• Get local currency from an ATM in your destination (rather than at home).
• Always carry local cash.
• Look up the exchange rate before arriving at your destination.
• Download a currency conversion app (i.e. XE Currency Converter).

Sources: My Global Viewpoint, Go Overseas, and The Haphazard Traveler.

Safety

• Prevent pickpockets and petty theft.
  • Keep an eye on your belongings and hold your bag tight.
  • A crossbody bag, fanny pack or money belt are good at deterring pickpockets.
• Register with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) or your country’s embassy.
• Purchase travel insurance.
• Use common sense.

Your Destination

• Learn about your destination
  • Ghana advice for travelers
  • Ghana voltage and outlet plugs
  • What to wear
  • Customs
  • Common tourist scams
  • Traveling with kids in Ghana
• Research any special considerations for yourself as a traveler to that country. (i.e. women travelers, older travelers, LGBTQ travelers, travelers with disabilities, etc.)
• Bring an international travel adapter and converter, if needed.
• Research any Import/Export restrictions before buying souvenirs.
• Check out the CIA’s World Factbook or the Culture Crossing Guide for cultural customs.

Communication

• Research local SIM cards or activate a global phone/data plan with your cell phone provider.
• Check the local emergency number for your destination and save it in your phone.
• If there is a tourist police number, do the same.

Travel Smart. Travel Safe. Travel Well.

Before traveling abroad make sure to:

Get Informed about your destination at travel.state.gov/destination, and plan for the unexpected at travel.state.gov/crisis.

Get Required Documents, such as your passport and visas.

Get Enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to receive security and emergency alerts.

STEP Information

Register here.