Ghana Travel Overview

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

Ghana GDP - gross domestic product

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).