Traveling to Ghana

JOAN ROSEN

GHANA, WEST AFRICA -- Entry Requirements and Safety

(Following is information taken from the Department of State Website about travel in Ghana, West Africa.  http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1124.html)

Country Specific Information

(Source of map:  http://travel.state.gov/_res/images/countries/maps/large/ghana.gif)

Ghana is in West Africa.  Accra is the capital.  There are tourist facilities in Accra, in Kumasi in the Ashanti region, and in Cape Coast.

Embassy in Accra:

Address: The U.S. Embassy is located at No. 24 Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra.
Telephone: (233)-(030) 274-1000
Emergency after-hours telephone: (233)-(030) 274-1775
Facsimile: (233)-(030) 274-1362 or 274-1426

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Evidence of a yellow fever vaccination, a passport and visa are required.

Is the country safe to travel in?

There has been violence related to chieftaincy disputes in Yendi in the Northern Region and in Bawku in the Upper East Region.

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Crimes Against Westerners

March 1, 2013

Within the past month, the U.S. Embassy has received reports of armed robberies of Westerners in the Osu and Ablekuma/Dzorwulu areas of Accra. In several incidents, victims were assaulted and robbed at gun point by assailants on motorcycles. The Embassy advises U.S. citizens to be aware of the potential for crime; ie., to increase their situational awareness and take appropriate personal safety and security precautions, especially after 10:00 p.m., and in crowded public areas frequented by Westerners.

(http://ghana.usembassy.gov/em_030113.html)

Please note the warning is about specific areas in Accra.

·       Try not try travel in communal taxis

·       Carry small amounts of cash

·       You should only have photocopies of key documents on you.

·       Travel documents and luggage have been stolen in hotels in Ghana and at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

·       The airport’s permanent staff all have ID cards with their photographs and names on them.

·       If you are met at the airport, check the driver’s identity.

·       Avoid using your credit card in Ghana.  “A growing number of travelers have been victims of credit card fraud.”