Ghana Travel Overview
At a glance
Capital: Accra
Official language: English
Currency: Ghana Cedi
Continent: West Africa
Land of kings and queens
Its wealth of natural resources earned it the name “Gold Coast”. Ghana is a country with ancient traditions in the past and a long history of democracy in modern times. The former Ashanti kingdom awaits your visit.
Location
According to Countryaah, Ghana is a state in West Africa. It is on the Atlantic Ocean and borders Burkina Faso, Togo and the Ivory Coast. The capital Accra is located in the south-east of the country, the second largest city is Kumasi, it is also known as the second capital.
Landmarks
Ghana offers many natural spectacles, such as the Mole National Park in the north of the country. There you can see elephants, crocodiles and many kinds of monkeys if you are patient because they are very shy of humans. Another natural attraction is Lake Volta. Actually it is not a “natural attraction”, because it is the largest reservoir in the world. With an area of around 8,500km², the lake is larger than the Austrian state of Salzburg.
The Bosumtwi is a special kind of lake. It is located 28 km northwest of the City of Kumasi and is characterized by its crater shape, because the lake was created by a meteorite impact and has no inflows and outflows.
Further highlights of a Ghana vacation are the countless markets in the country and a crossing of the Volta reservoir from Akosombo to Kete Krachi and on to Yeji on one of the cargo ships in the middle of bananas, yam, cocoa beans and fish.
Security and respect
Ghana is considered a safe travel destination, but many residents are poor and Europeans generally appear rich. So do not wear all of your jewelry on display or waving bundles of money in markets. The Ghanaians have great respect for other cultures and other opinions. They are welcomed with pleasure if they show respect too. And ask each person before you take a picture.
Worth knowing
In Ghana, restrictions on photography were introduced in 1982 and have recently been relaxed. However, it is still not advisable to photograph military installations, troops, ministries and public buildings, trains and railroad installations, ports, airports, aircraft, bridges, dams or larger substations of the power plants. There is a strict ban on photography in the vicinity of the “Castle” in Accra, the official seat of the head of state and the Ministry of Defense.
Particularities
Ghana has a long tradition in drum making. Have you ever thought of learning to play a drum? Many schools and teachers in the country are happy to offer their expertise.
Important facts
Capital: Accra
Official language: English
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Ghana Cedi (100 Pesewas)
ISO 4217 code
GHS / 936
Geography
Continent: Africa
Region: west
Geo coordinates: N 7 ° 56 ‘47.5 “W -1 ° -1’ -23.5”
Highest mountain: Mounf Afadjato (880 m)
Total area: 239,450 km²
Mainland: 230,940 km²
National border: 2,094 km
Coastline: 539 km
Politics
Dependency: Great Britain until 1957
UN member since: 1957
Other political affiliation: African Union
Form of government: Military dictatorship
Economy
Export goods: Cocoa, precious wood, bauxite
BSP: $ 10,628,000,000
GDP: $ 10,572,000,000
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 58.430 billion
Economic growth: 4.7%
GDP share of agriculture: 36.8%
GDP share of industry: 25.2%
GDP share of services: 38%
Inflation rate: 17%
State budget revenue: $ 3624,000,000
State budget expenditure: $ 4063,000,000
National debt: 72.3%
Export: $ 3,173,000,000
Import: $ 4,766,000,000
Foreign debt: $ 7,142,000,000
Gold and currency reserves: $ 1,684,000,000
Electricity consumption: 5,742 million KWh
Gas reserves: 23,790 million m³
Oil reserves: 8,255 million m³
Oil production: 8,100 million m³
Oil consumption: 43,000 million m³
Cultivation area: 26.88%
Sheep: 3,150,000 pieces
Fishing: 471,000 t
Demographic data
Residents: 22,409,600
Residents in cities: 9,592,000
Average age: 19.9 years
0-14 years: 38.8%
15-64 years: 57.7%
> 65 years: 3.5%
Population growth: 2.07%
Birth rate: 30.52 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 9.72 / 1,000 residents
Migration: -0.11 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 1
Fertility: 3.99 children / woman
Infant mortality: 55.02 ‰
Life expectancy men: 58.07 years
Life expectancy women: 59.69 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: GH
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: GHA
ISO 3166 numeric: 288
Top Level Domain: gh
IOC country code: GHA
UN / LOCODE: GH
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 391,000
Cell Phones: 1,590,000
Radios: 15,400,000
TV: 2,530,000
Computer: 138,000
Internet users: 500,000
Transportation
Railway lines: 953 km
Paved roads: 3,503 km
Cars: 164,000
Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 4
Pipelines: 74
Health
Number of doctors: 1,290
Daily food intake: 2,750 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 400,000
Education
Illiteracy: 22%
History
Foundation: 1630
Last sovereign since: 1957
Religion
Main religious group: Natural religions
Crime
Prison inmates: 12,300
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 7,000
Defense Spending: $ 94.6 million
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
From Frankfurt / M. from there with United Airlines (UA) and Lufthansa (LH) to Accra. Air Berlin (AB) flies from Düsseldorf to Accra. Swiss (LX) and United Airlines (UA) fly from Zurich to Accra. Austrian Airlines (OS), Lufthansa (LH) and KLM (KL)
fly from Vienna . Onward travel to Accra from Windhoek (Namibia) via Johannesburg (South Africa) is also possible with Air Namibia (SW). Air Namibia flies direct from Frankfurt to Windhoek several times a week.
Departure fee
US $ 50.
Arrival by car
A coastal road connects Lagos (Nigeria), Cotonou (Benin) and Lomé (Togo) with Accra. The best road leads from Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) via Kumasi inland. The Strait of Burkina Faso crosses the border at Navrongo, there are buses, taxis and Tro-Tros (minibuses). The neighboring countries can be easily reached with long-distance taxis.
Arrival by ship
Ghana has two deep sea ports in Takoradi and Tema. Ships operate between Tema and Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and South Africa.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Airport fees: 1000 C.
On the way by car / bus
The road network covers around 39,400 km. The roads within cities are in fair condition, outside of cities in mostly poor condition.
State long-distance buses connect all major cities.
Rental cars with or without a driver can be rented from international and local companies; however, the rental fee is high. Night driving should be avoided.
Documentation: international driver’s license.
Traveling in the city
Accra has an extensive bus network, mostly operated by private companies. They use small buses (Moto-way), about 120,000 minibuses (Tro-Tro) and buses with wooden bodies (Mammy Wagons). The small buses are, however, at high risk of accidents. Taxis and shared taxis are available, the fare should be negotiated in advance.
On the go by train
The rail network is around 1,000 km long. There is a connection between Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi. There are two price ranges. Children under 3 years travel for free, from 3 to 11 years at half price.
On the way by ship
A steamship, the Yapei Queen, regularly sails on Lake Volta between Akosombo and Yeji. Ferry connection from Yeji to Buipe and Makongo. Advance booking is possible at the Ministry of Tourism (see addresses).
