Customs:
- Ghanaians are conservative people and visitors should respect local customs, traditional courtesies and dress codes such as the following.
- Greeting is an important social function and handshakes with the right hand are common.
- Beachwear should be confined to the beaches.
- Avoid receiving or giving things, pointing, waving and gesticulating with the left hand. Always use your right hand to give and receive items, and to eat.
- Visitors to remote villages or shrines should visit the local elder or priest and take a small gift such as a bottle of local schnapps.
- Dress decently for all palace visits. No shorts allowed in the Manhyia Palace
- Always seek permission before taking photographs of people.
Money:
All purchases in Ghana are in local currencies. There are ATMs in all the cities, where cash withdrawals can be made in cedi equivalent.
There are foreign exchange bureaus (Forex) in all the major towns and cities in Ghana. They usually offer a slightly better rate than the banks and stay open longer.
The best currencies to bring to Ghana are US dollars, Euros and British pounds; other currencies are equally acceptable but at unfavourable exchange rates.
Euros are the best foreign currency to carry to Togo, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and other French speaking African countries
Traveller checks are a bother. Though a few forex bureaus accept them, they are mostly acceptable in all major banks. Such as Ecobank, UBA, Zenith, Absa, StanChart, Stanbic, etc.
Export Prohibitions:
These are goods that are completely banned from export either by international or local laws. Such items or commodities include:
- Round log (12 Species including Rosewood)
- Narcotics / Psychotropic substances
- African grey parrots
- Endangered animal species
- Currency in excess of $10,000.00
- Rattan canes and bamboo
- Obscene and pornographic materials
- Any other goods prohibited by international laws
Child Safety
We are against and do not promote sexual exploitation of children
Also note that it is a criminal offence in Ghana under Criminal Offence Act 1960 (Act 29)
