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General Information
Local area codes:
Accra
021
Tema
022
Cape Coast
042
Takoradi
031
Koforidua
081
Kumasi
051
Ho
091
Sunyani
061
Temale
071
Bolgatanga
072
Wa
0756
Internet Services
The number of internet users is rapidly growing in
Ghana, going from 30,000 users in 2000 to nearly
a million users by 2009. However, this statistic only
represents 4.2% of the total population. There are
a sizable number of Internet cafes springing up in
Accra, Tema and a few other cities. Nevertheless,
many rural communities are not connected yet.
MEDIA
Newspapers in Ghana are mostly written in Eng-
lish. The Daily Graphic, the Ghanaian Times and
the Evening News are three of the major govern-
ment-owned newspapers, sharing the market with
the independent Accra Daily Mail, The Ghanaian
Chronicle and the most read weekly newspaper
The Mirror, The Mail (bi-weekly), as well as with the
conservative Independent. Media in Ghana enjoy
a high degree of freedom without major repression
for private newspapers, as the media enterprise
was qualified as “one of the most unfettered” on
the African continent by the Commonwealth Press
Union. Ghana TV (GTV) run by Ghana Broadcast-
ing Corporation (GBC) is the main public television
in Ghana.
BEFORE AND AFTER ARRIVAL
Health
You must have a Yellow Fever vaccination and you
may be required to show your international immuni-
zation certificate as proof of this when you enter the
country. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid fever,
Polio, and Tetanus are also needed. Malaria prophy-
laxis is strongly recommended and mosquito protec-
tion measures are important at all times as it is the
most effective measure against Malaria. All travellers
should visit their personal physician or a travel health
clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.
Ghana has good health services. All regional and
district capitals as well as most towns have hospi-
tals, polyclinics or clinics. The two teaching hospi-
tals in Accra and Kumasi have facilities for treating
special cases. Additionally, a number of religious
organizations and private medical practitioners op-
erate hospitals and clinics throughout the country.
Herbal medicine and psychic healing are also widely
practiced.
Safety
Ghana is now a very safe and stable country with
comparatively low crime levels amongst West Afri-
can countries. Although the country is quite safe, be
sure to always take sensible precautions.
Beware of expat bars that can be the target for mug-
gings. Make sure that you leave in a large group and
enter a taxi immediately upon exiting the bar. More
generally, avoid using expensive electronic devices
in the street, as they could stir up envy.
Ghanaian Visa, Passport
and Entry Requirements
All persons entering Ghana must be in possession
of a valid passport or travel document issued by a
competent national or international authority and
recognised by the Government of Ghana.
All foreigners entering Ghana require entry visas
with the exception of those listed under Exemptions
below. Entry visas may be obtained prior to arrival
from a Ghana Embassy, High Commission or Con-
sulate abroad. Where Ghana has no consular or
diplomatic representation, an application for entry
visas may be made to the nearest British Diplomatic
Mission or Consulate authorised by the Government
of Ghana to act on its behalf.
Entry visa may be issued on arrival if the Director of
Immigration has prior notification from travellers or
their sponsors.
Nationals of the following Commonwealth East
and Southern African countries may obtain visas,
free of charge, at a point of entry in Ghana: Botswa-
na, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda,
Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Exemption: