Ghana Travel Guide

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Country Facts

Location

West Africa.

Language

The official language is English. Local Ghanaian languages are widely spoken, including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe and Ga.

Area

238,537 sq km (92,100 sq miles).

Time Zone

GMT.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz; usually three-pin plugs. Single phase three-pin plugs are used in larger buildings.

Population

21.8 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density

91.39 per sq km.

Capital City

Accra. Population: 2.2 million (World Bank estimate 2002).

Government

Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1957.

Head of State

President John Atta Mills since 2008.

Religion

Christian, Muslim and traditional beliefs. All forms of religion have a strong influence on Ghanaian life.

Recent History

President John Atta Mills was elected in December 2008, his third attempt at winning the presidency.

Mr Kufour won a closely-fought election in 2000 against John Atta Mills, former deputy of long-time leader Jerry John Rawlings, and was re-elected in 2004. Kufour set up a 'reconciliation commission' to investigate human rights abuses during military rule. The Kufour government also had to deal with inter-communal violence and land disputes in the north of the country. The greatest controversy, however, has concerned its decision to sell the country's largest and most important company, Ashanti Goldfields. Since coming to power, economic growth has been Kufour's priority. The country has seen drops in inflation and borrowing costs.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +233.

Mobile Telephone

Coverage is good around main towns and patchy to non-existent elsewhere. Roaming agreements exist with numerous companies.

Internet

Internet facilities can be found throughout the country in most towns but connection is usually very slow. Hotels have faster access. Internet popularity is rapidly growing and service is improving to keep up with demand.

Media

A free press operates in Ghana. There are no major restrictions on private press and broadcasters, who are regularly critical of government policy. Lively radio phone-in programs are common and popular. Numerous private radio stations compete for limited advertising revenue in Accra and elsewhere. The state-run Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) runs national TV and radio networks.

Post

Airmail letters to Europe may take two weeks or more to arrive.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Mar Independence Day
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
25 May Africa Day
1 Jul Republic Day
10 Sep - 11 Sep Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6 Nov - 7 Nov Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
2 Dec National Farmers’ Day
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Mar Independence Day
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
25 May Africa Day
1 Jul Republic Day
19 Aug - 20 Aug Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct - 26 Oct Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
3 Dec National Farmers’ Day
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information

Ministry of Tourism

PO Box 4386, Accra, Ghana
Tel: (21) 666 701.
Website: www.ghanatourism.gov.gh

Ghana High Commission (Education, Visas and Trade) in the UK

104 Highgate Hill, London N6 5HE, UK
Tel: (020) 8342 7500 or 7501 (visa section).
Website: www.ghana-com.co.uk
Consulate opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300.

Ghana High Commission (Information and Administration) in the UK

13 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PN, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 4142.
Website: www.ghana-com.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in the USA

3512 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 686 4520.
Website: www.ghanaembassy.org