Country Facts

GHANA

Republic of Ghana

Local time

GMT

Population

Population: 19.2 Million
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42%
15-64 years: 55%
65 years and over: 3% (2000 est)
Population growth rate: 2%

Sources: World Bank

Capital City

Accra - Population 1.7 million

Language

There are 75 spoken languages in Ghana, but the principal one is English.

Principal Religions

The three main religion groups in Ghana are Christians, Animists and Muslims. The latter are mainly concentrated in the more sparsely populated north.

Visas: All visitors are required to have a visa, except for citizens of countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). You may need also a Yellow Fever vaccination Certtificate.

Health risks: cholera (Due to heavy flooding in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions, there was an outbreak of cholera with 1500 cases reported in late 1999), schistosomiasis (bilharzia), yellow fever, malaria.

Cost of living in Ghana: A 1.5 litre bottle of mineral water costs $0.60. A plate of say Fried Rice with chicken from most Fast Food joints costs $2. Transport within town is mainly by small minibuses seating about 16 passengers and taxis. Fares on minibuses are very low: less than $0.50 per hour. A hour's ride on a taxi costs about $3.

Cash VISA, MASTERCARD, or TRAVELERS CHECKS: You can cash your VISA, MasterCard and JCB credit/debit cards and Travelers Checks in any branch of Barclays Bank (all regional capitals). Standard Chartered Bank also accepts VISA card at all branches. Several other banks also accept VISA card and Travelers Checks. You can even draw on your VISA card through many ATMs in Accra and other large cities in Ghana, 24 hours a day, any day.

When to Go

There really is no 'best' time to visit Ghana, as the temperature is always Africa-hot and if rainfall doesn't soak you, then the humid air will. If you prefer your soaking tropical in nature, stick close to the beaches. Whatever the season, the weather gets more arid the farther inland you go. Village-specific festivals and events occur throughout the year.

Events

The 42 day cycle of the Ashanti religious calendar culminates in Kumasi - the 'City of the Golden Stool' - with Akwasidee, a public ceremony at the palace involving the main chiefs and priests. The Aboakyer, or Deer Hunt Festival, is held in May in Winnebah. Elmina's Bakatue Festival, celebrating the beginning of the fishing season, is held the first Tuesday of July, with local chiefs parading through town in full regalia, followed by singers, dancers and stilt walkers. On the first Saturday in September, a raucous carnival called the Fetu Festival takes place in Cape Coast, featuring an all-day parade of local chiefs. The Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (Panafest) - a spectacle-heavy cross-cultural dramafest - is held across Ghana in December of even-numbered years. National holidays include Independence Day on 6 March, Republic Day on 1 July and Revolution Day on 31 December.