Travel Tips
Social Conventions
Ghanaians should always be addressed by their formal titles unless they specifically request otherwise. Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. It is customary in much of West Africa not to use the left hand for touching food. Photography: Permission should be sought before photographing military installations, government buildings or airports.
Tipping
When a service charge is not included, a 10 per cent tip is usual.
International Travel:
Note
The Government of Ghana has lifted the state of emergency that had been in place in the Tamale municipality and Yendi District of the Northern Region of Ghana for the last two years. But visitors considering traveling to the Northern Region should still be alert to potential outbreaks of fighting. Whilst traveling in most regions of Ghana is trouble-free, a high level of vigilance in public areas - and when traveling by road - should be exercised.
Air
Ghana International Airlines is now the national airline of Ghana which now fly daily to London Commercial operations set off in October 2005.Several airlines fly from Accra to London and New York, including Alitalia, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, South African Airways, North American Airlines and Astraeus
Approximate flight times
From London to Accra is six hours 30 minutes (direct) or eight hours 25 minutes (with stopover in Kano). From New York is nine hours 30 minutes (direct).
International airports
Accra (ACC) (Kotoka), 10km (6 miles) north of Accra (travel time – 20 minutes). Taxis to the city are available. Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, car hire, duty free shops, restaurants and tourist information.
Airport Tax
US$50.
Sea
Ghana has two deep-water ports, one at Takoradi, the other at Tema. Ships run between Tema and Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and South Africa.
Road
A coast road links Lagos (Nigeria), Cotonou (Benin) and Lomé (Togo) to Accra. The best internal road from Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) runs inland through Kumasi. The main north–south route is also in good condition. Buses and taxis run between Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Ghana. The road from Burkina Faso crosses the border at Navrongo. Long-distance taxis operate between Ghana and neighboring countries. See Travel – Internal for information on documentation.
The following goods may be imported into Ghana by persons aged 16 and over without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 750ml of spirits or 750ml of wine; 227ml of perfume.
Note
Duty must be paid on gifts.
Restricted items
Animals, firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Internal Travel:
Air
There are domestic services between Accra, Kumasi and Tamale. Antrak Air and Citylink are the two domestic airlines in Ghana
Airport tax
¢20,000
Lake
A lake steamer runs regularly across Lake Volta between Akosombo and Yeji. Ferries connect at Yeji for Buipe and Makongo, from both of which it is possible to arrange onward transportation to Tamale.
Rail
The rail network is limited to a 1000km- (600 mile-) loop by the coast connecting the cities Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi and several intervening towns. Trains run at least twice a day on all three legs of this single-track triangle. There are two classes of ticket. Passenger cars are not air conditioned. Children under three years of age travel free; half-fare is charged for children aged three to 11.
Road
There are 38,940km (24,196 miles) of roads, generally in good condition, although the stretch between Kamasi and Tamale may be prone to pot-holes. Traffic drives on the right. Car hire: Available but extremely expensive, with or without driver. Coach: State-run and private coach services connect all major towns. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A British driving license is valid for 90 days.
Urban
Roads in the major towns have undergone massive renovation to improve traffic flow. Accra has extensive bus and taxi services operated by the private sector. There are over 300,000 conventional taxis. Drivers do not generally expect tips. Other ways of getting around, for the more adventurous traveller, are tro-tros (minibuses) and mammy wagons (converted pick-up trucks).
