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Money matters
Ghana
is getting used to plastic money and credit cards - Visa &
Master Card - are widely accepted in most bigger hotels,
some restaurants, bigger filling stations and supermarkets.
If you prefer to carry cash take US Dollars. Even though it
is no problem to change other denominations the exchange
rate for the Dollar is better. If you decide to take along
cash, please carry $50 or $100 denominations as smaller
notes are not accepted easily. Traveller Cheques are a
problem to cash in and the exchange rate is very low.
Travelling in Ghana can be cheap but also expensive
depending on where you stay. Here you can find 5 star hotels
( only in Accra ) with $300 per night but also budget hotels
for $20. The same goes for restaurants. You should budget
about $15 for continental food but about $2 for local food.
You
can follow that
Link to a exchange rate calculator.
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What to pack?
Bring
everything you might need and as little as possible!!!!!!!!!
Sounds odd but it basically spells out what to pack.
Your
luggage will depend on how you are going to travel. Are you
likely to travel in Ghana from place to place using local
transport or are you staying in a hotel and taking day trips
from there? Will you be camping?
If
you are going to be on the road a lot you may want to use a
backpack and keep it as light as possible. You may want to
carry a sheet sleeping bag.
Campers need to carry a tent - with mosquito net - sleeping
bag and roll mat, box of firelighter blocks. Other items
like stove and gas, pots, plates, cups and cutlery can be
purchased in Ghana and you do not have to bring them along.
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Medical Kit
You
should carry a medical kit for first aid containing the
following:
paracetamol, aspirin, imodium, something against
constipation, vitamins, malaria prophylaxes, broad spectrum
antibiotics, antihistaminic, thermometer, plaster, bandage,
syringes and needle, gloves, disinfectant.
In
case you have a special condition please speak to your GP
before travelling. |
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Other useful items
Torch, penknife, alarm clock, sun block cream, insect
repellant cream, beach towel, short wave radio, games,
traveling guide, dictionary, novels, sewing kit, sun
glasses, lighter, pens and other small items to give away,
spare film and batteries for cameras, spare passport
pictures.
Toiletries - soap, toothpaste & toothbrush, shampoo,
deodorant etc. can be obtained in the country and you do not
need to bring spares.
If you wear contact lenses you have to bring along cleansing
and storing fluids or you may consider reverting to glasses
as many people complain of the intense sun and dry weather
conditions.
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Eating in Ghana
"Peel
it , cook it or forget it" - that is what you should
remember if you are travelling in the country.
The staple local diet consists of various food prepared from
rice, maize, cassava and yam ( roots similar to potatoes )
and plantain served with spicy sauces and soups prepared
with fresh fish or meat. The oil used is either palm oil,
groundnut oil or vegetable oil. Any of these foods is safe
to eat if it is freshly prepared and piping hot. Fresh fruit
is sold every where and you can purchase canned foods in any
supermarket. In case you want to cook you can shop for
whatever you may need fresh from the local market.
Most up scale restaurants serve international cuisine. Local
restaurants also known as "Chop Bars" serve local dishes
only.
Pipe born water is not too safe for drinking. Bottled
mineral water is normally sold in every shop and at filling
stations. If you are in an area where you have no access to
bottled water either boil it if you can or purify it with
"Micro Pur" or any other purifying tablets. Or drink coconut
water if available.
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Travelling in the country
All
major roads are covered by a variety of public transport in
three main categories - tro - tro, buses and taxis. Tro -
tro are small buses seating 15 - 20 which stop where ever
they see a passenger along the street. In most small towns
and villages there is one major place from where all
transport leaves. This is referred to as 'Station'. In
bigger cities you find one Station for each destination in a
different direction. The Stations are again divided into
categories of taxi, tro - tro and buses as well as smaller
buses and larger busses. The easiest way to get the right
station to where you are heading is to pick a taxi and ask
the driver to take you to the station for your destination.
The safest and most efficient way to travel between the
major cities is by STC buses. These buses have fixed
departure times and run very frequently. It is always better
to buy a ticket a day in advance.
The Train goes only from Accra to Kumasi and from Kumasi to
Takoradi. There is no food service on board and the train
from Takoradi to Kumasi is a sleeper which leaves at around
8pm. The train is normally on schedule.
Taxis are a very easy way to travel in the city. You could
either join a loading taxi at a station or charter one to
take you to your destination. - loading means that several
people going to the same destination will share the taxi
whereas with charter you have the taxi to yourself, but that
is more expensive. When it comes to charter you can bargain
for the fare most of the time.
There is only one existing Airline for inland flights as at
now which goes from Accra to Kumasi to Tamale.
There are several Car Rental agencies in Accra, Takoradi and
Kumasi. Amongst these are Hertz and Avis. If you rent a
vehicle without driver it is more expensive.
The only regular Shipping Line on the Volta Lake which is
the Yapei Queen that travels from Akosombo to Yeji in the
North once a week. It is possible to join this trip which
leaves Akosombo on Monday morning and returns on Thursday
afternoon.
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Etiquette
Ghana
like any other country has rules of etiquette and even
though exceptions are made for tourist there are some which
should be followed if possible. The first and probably most
important one is that you should never use your left hand in
eating, receiving or passing something and in greeting.
Greeting procedures tend to be more formal in Ghana and it
is custom to treat elderly people with respect. This is
especially important in smaller villages where you are
expected to greet everyone you meet on the street. Never
cross your legs in the presence of a chief and always take
off your cap or hat. If you are offered a drink of local gin
it is impolite to refuse it unless you use the excuse of
never touching alcohol.
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Photopraphy
Photographic Etiquette is a sticky subject especially in the
northern regions where you find mostly Muslims. It is
advisable always to ask permission before taking pictures
and if denied you have to accept that fact. Others may ask a
token fee for being photographed but there may be instances
where you will be refused with the reason, being that you
will capture their soul. Be particularly careful in aiming
your camera at the State House, prisons and other Military
Men and Police Men and Installations - Airport, Ashanti
Museum where it is strictly forbidden to take pictures.
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Dress Code
There is no particular dress code in
Ghana and even though the Ghanaian prefers long dresses in
women and long trousers and shirts for the men it is very
casual. Of course that does not mean you can walk in town
wearing your swim clothes. You can safely wear shorts or
skirts and t-shirts or light cotton shirts as well as
shorter dresses. Don't make the mistake of being to casual
about it especially when going to an Official office - keep
it simple and clean. When it comes to shoes you are welcome
to wear what ever makes you comfortable.
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Women Travellers
There is no country where women have less
to fear on a gender specific level. An element of flirtation
and perhaps the odd direct proposition are about the sum of
it, but these can easily be stopped with a simple "no" and
the mention of a husband at home. When travelling in the
northern parts of the country which are mostly inhabited by
Muslims it is advisable to wear less revealing clothes as
they may be perceived to make an unintended statement.
Tampons and sanitary napkins are difficult to come by in
remote areas so stock up on those in the city.
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Please give me . . . .
These
are the three most common words to start a conversation with
a child and also sometimes adults in the rural area. They
ask for money, a pen and mostly your address. Asking for
money does not mean that they are needy, it is more a game
of chance and every tourist who accedes to such a request is
guilty of reinforcing this behaviour. Asking for pens is the
same only more sophisticated and when it comes to your
address it is mostly only another form of autograph hunting.
You do not need to be rude to anyone asking for something
just be firm in saying no. There are genuine beggars to
which you can give some money but please no foreign exchange
but rather loose change in cedis. |
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Tips
It is
not custom to give a waiter a tip but if you were pleased
with your service you can give a tip of 5% or 10% of your
bill. Some places add a service charge but this is mostly
not for the waiter. |
