MEDICAL

•  Vaccinations should be arranged prior to your travel. These should include tetanus, diphtheria, meningitis, typhoid, hepatitis A&B, yellow fever, and others as recommended by your doctor.

•  Be sure to have a valid health certificate for yellow fever before your travel. This is the only required immunization. Thus a Proof of immunization will be requested upon arrival at the airport.

•  A vaccination against cholera (or a note to the effect that it is contraindicated) is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival to Ghana. Proof of immunization (or contraindication) may be requested at the airport upon arrival.

• Malaria is a common disease in Ghana.  A supply of malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for travellers to Ghana. A preventive medication should be started a before departure. (Consult your physician for professional advise)

• Some drugs may not available in Ghana. If you have any special needs, it is advisable to bring along enough supply to be used during your stay.

• Hand wipes and hand-sanitizing waterless agents are useful, since adequate hand washing facilities are not always available.

CURRENCY: The Ghanaian unit of currency is the Ghana Gh(¢) or Ghanian Cedi which replaced the old cedi in July, 2007. It comes in denominations of 1 (equivalent of ¢10,000 old currency), 5 (¢50,000 old currency), 10 (¢100,000 old currency), 20(¢200,000 old currency) and 50(¢500,000 old currency) bills. Coins come in denominations of 1 Ghanian Cedi, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1 pesewa. The Ghanian cedi is approximately Gh¢0.893 to $1Cdn as at 31st August 2007. An up to date exchange rate can be obtained from the banks eg Bank of Canada or a licensed forex bureau. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency you may bring into the country, though international laws on movement of currency hold. The largest denomination is GH¢50.00. It is possible to change money at major hotels.

In Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa, which are the capital towns of the Northern Region, Upper East Region and Upper West regions paying for services must be done in Ghanaian cedis. It is advisable to change all monies to be used during your stay before travelling up north.

Officers may check that your luggage has been chalk marked, and ask for your baggage tag (usually attached to your ticket).

Exit: As you leave the building there will be a large crowd of people outside. Visitors are advised to be very careful as many young men around will offer to be of help. There is a possibility of your luggage being stolen in the process. If you have arranged for an airport pick up firmly decline all offers for help and look for the Driver  holding a sign with your name and a red maple leaf on it.

Airport Pickup: This is on request. Access to the airport Arrival Terminal is restricted. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you should exit the arrival terminal. If a representative of a Ghanaian Institution is meeting you, look for your host and firmly decline all offers of help. If it's a PSU driver who is to pick you up, he will be holding a sign with your name and a red maple leaf on it. If you have been informed that a CIDA–PSU representative will meet you, look out for the Program Support Unit Logo. If the crowd is particularly large, wait until you have identified the Program Support Unit representative, or until he/she has identified you. Kindly note the following Rules when using a PSU vehicle.
You can also arrange for airport pick directly with your Hotel. Hotels offering this (free) services are La Palm, Labadi, Golden Tulip and Novotel.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Internet Access: Some hotels in Ghana offer internet access from your room while others provide access at the business centre for a fee. You can also have access to the internet at the CIDA-PSU offices and check emails or use Internet Cafes such as Busy Internet which seems to be the most reliable.
Telephone :
Phone cards for public payphones are available from vendors or at the P&T communications centre (Cantonments) P&T Kwame Nkrumah Circle, or P&T Accra. The prices of the phone cards range from GH¢1.5 - GH¢15 depending on the units per card. For example a 50 units payphone card costs GH¢2.5. You could make international calls from the public phone booths. Alternatively you could bring along a mobile phone hand set and purchase a line or rent one from the PSU.

DEPARTURE: Before your departure from Accra's Kotoka International Airport, you must remember to confirm your flight at least seventy-two hours in advance of your departure. It is best to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance of your flight's departure to ensure adequate time for check-in and immigration formalities

Flights such as BA & KLM have pre-check in around 4:00 pm you later return to the airport between 7:30pm and 8:00pm for your flight.

SPECIAL CONCERNS
The Government of Ghana maintains strict regulations on the import and export of gold, diamonds, and other precious natural resources. Only agents licensed by the Precious Metals and Mining Commission, telephone (233)(21) 664-635 or 664-579, may handle import-export transactions of these natural resources. Any transaction lacking this Commission's endorsement may be illegal and/or fraudulent. Attempts to evade regulations are punishable by prison terms.

In rare instances, visitors arriving in Ghana with sophisticated electronic equipment (video cameras and laptop computers) may have to deposit 17.5 per cent of the item's value with the Customs and Excise office at the airport. To get the deposit refunded, visitors must apply to the Customs and Excise Office in central Accra 48 hours before departure.

It is illegal to wear military or camouflage clothing.

PHOTOGRAPHY RESTRICTIONS: Photography of sensitive installations, including military sites, government buildings, and Accra's International Airport, is prohibited. Permission should also be obtained before taking photographs of anyone. In some instances, film and cameras have been confiscated.