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Country and Inhabitants
Ghana is a tropical country, but reaches the border of the sahelzone in the north. Covering an area of 238.000 sq.km. The country has about 18 Million. inhabitants, 3 Million of which live in the capital Accra. Other important cities are Kumasi, Tamale and Cape Coast. In all these cities there are universities. Ghanaians are well known for their friendliness and peacefulness, which will have a great impact on your stay in this country. In comparision to Europe, religion plays an important role in everyday life, christians and muslims are tolerant towards each other.
Language
The official language of Ghana is English and is widely understood and spoken with a distinct Ghanaian accent. Akan with its dialects Twi, Fanti, Akwapim, Akim remains the most important language and is spoken by more than 70% of the people.
Climate and Clothing:
Throughout the year, the climate in Accra is humid and hot with only slight variations in temperature between day and night. The rainy seasons are from May to June and from September to November. Dry season is from December to April, but their may be occasional showers throughout the whole time of the year. The maximum daytime temperature in March is about 32-35 C, the lowest in August ranges from 24-28 C.
Clothing should be light and easy to wash. Cotton is more preferable than synthetics. For most invitations informal clothing is sufficient, so only seldom a suit and a tie are needed. But one should take in consideration, that Ghanaians place much value on appropriate and well-groomed dressing and therefore have little understanding for shorts and other leisure-clothes. Because Ghana has a long coast and beautiful beaches which can be easily reached from Accra one should not forget to bring swim wear.
Health:
For entry into Ghana a valid yellow fever vaccination is required (protection lasts 10 years). Malaria is widely spread. On shorter stays, a medical prophylaxis is highly recommended, mosquito repellants (Autan or Zedan) should be brought from the home country, especially for staying outside in the evening. Because of the Bilharziosis-risk, bathing in inland water should be avoided. It is also recommended to do without salads and raw vegetables and to avoid drinking water from the tab. A number of European and American trained doctors can be found in Accra.
History:
Ghana is a republic and a member of the Commonwealth. Ghana declared its independence on March 6, 1957 as the first Subsaharan African country. The former Goldcoast, a name by the British colonial power alluding to the rich gold deposits of the country, took over the name of the legendary empire of Gana, which was by means of its wealth and its varied trade relations the paramount power of western Africa between the 9th and 11th century. The first president of the country, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was one of the fathers of Panafricanism. In 1966 there was a coup against him.
The following years brought numerous rapidly changing governments, which affected the achievements of independence. From 1981 to 2000 Jerry J. Rawlings was the head of state, after he had gained the power through a coup on New Year's Eve 1981. In the course of the Westafrican movements for democracy at the beginning of the nineties, after a victorious presidential election, Rawlings proclaimed elections for parliament in 1992, which were boycotted by the oppositional parties.
In 1996, both presidential and parliamentary elections were held by participation of the opposition. Rawlings was confirmed for a second term, his party NDC (National Democratic Congress) won the majority of the parliament. On December 7, 2000, Ghana voted J. A. Kufuor for president and elected a new parliament.
Media:
In the course of the democratization of the country, the media-monopoly owned by the state was broken. Apart from the state newspapers Daily Graphic (highest circulation in the country) and Ghanaian Times, a number of private daily and weekly newspapers have now been established. There have also been changes concerning the electronic media. The state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) is increasingly facing competition through private TV-stations.
Money:
The national currency, called Cedi, underlies enormous fluctuations of value. Right now the rates of exchange is about 10.800 Cedi = 1 Euro (Juni 2004). In numerous exchange offices - the so-called Forex Bureaus - foreign currencies can be bought and sold without restriction. Therefore it is recommended to bring cash (Euro). Credit-cards are not the practice, except for the bigger hotels and some international restaurants. Euro-cheques are not accepted at all. It is neither allowed to import nor to export Cedis.
Current Exchange Rate – June 2004
|
€ |
10,844 |
11,078 |
|
$ |
8,899 |
9,095 |
|
£ |
16,264 |
16,627 |
|
SF |
7,154 |
7,309 |
|
C$ |
6,569 |
6,709 |
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CFA |
16.53 |
16.89 |
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¥ |
82.03 |
84.00 |
Electricity and Time:
240 V alternating current (A.C.), 50 Hz. Variations in voltage and power failures are quiet common. Greenwich Mean Time. (CET minus one hour). No summer time.
Entry and Departure:
For entering Ghana a visa, is requested, which you have to apply for at the Ghanaian embassy in your country.
The airport-fee of 50$ - if not included in the ticket - has to be paid on departure.
Accommodation:
In Accra one can find a number Hotels and Guest Houses, prices range between Euro 10 - 250.
For further information on hotels in Ghana,
please click here.
Sites and Attractions
You can choose between beautiful beaches and former slave-forts along the coastline, nationalparks in the inner country, the Lake Volta, picturesquely situated in the east of the country as well as some other attractions in the cities of Accra and Kumasi.
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