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Ghana Flag of Ghana

Pre Arrival:  Documents
Communications:  Pratique | Pre-Arrival
Pollution:  Pollution
Facilities:  Medical
Security:  Piracy
Local Info:  Time
Shore:  Banks | Customs
Crew:  Leave | Repatriation | ID Cards
Misc:  Authority
General Information for Ghana
Geo-political:
Capital City: Accra. 05° 33.00′ N, 000° 13.00′ W
Nationality: (noun) Ghanaian(s), (adjective) Ghanaian.
Population: 29,340,248 (July 2020).
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 233.
Number of Internal Airports: 10 (2013).
Major Languages Spoken: Asante 16%, Ewe 14%, Fante 11.6%, Boron 4.9% (Brong), Dagomba 4.4%, Dangme 4.2%, Dagarte 3.9% (Dagaba), Kokomba 3.5%, Akyem 3.2%, Ga 3.1% and others 31.2%.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Cedi (GHS) of 100 Pesewas.
Exchange Rates:  (as of November 2020)
USD 1.00 = GHS 5.83
GHS 1.00 = USD 0.17
Exchange rates under licence from XE.com
Main Industries: Mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building and petroleum.
Agricultural Products: Cocoa, rice, cassava, manioc, tapioca, peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas and timber.
Imports: Capital equipment, refined petroleum and foodstuffs.
Exports: Oil, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds and horticultural products.
Commodities: Crude: Production 173,000 bbl/d. Exports 104,000 bbl/d. Imports 6,220 bbl/d. Reserves 660,000,000 bbl. Products: Production 2,073 bbl/d. Exports 2,654 bbl/d. Imports 85,110 bbl/d. LNG: Production 914,400,000 cu.m.. Imports 317,400,000 cu.m.. Reserves 22,650,000,000 cu.m..
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Contiguous Zone: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Continental Shelf: 200 n.m. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 539 km.
Climate: Tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north.
Natural Resources: Gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt and limestone.
Natural Hazards: Dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds from January to March and droughts.
Terrain: Mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area.
Average Temperatures: 
Month High Low
January 32° C 23° C
June 28° C 23° C
September 28° C 22° C
DOCUMENTS:  See Pre-Arrival Information and Customs.
PRATIQUE:  The Port Health Officer or authorised officer shall grant pratique to a ship as soon as the following conditions have been properly complied with.
The Master shall complete accurately to the best of his knowledge and belief a Maritime Declaration of Health form.
The Declaration shall be countersigned by a ship's surgeon if one is carried and shall be delivered to the Port Health Officer or authorised officer.
The answers to the questions in the Declaration shall clearly indicate the absence of any infectious disease on board during the voyage or on arrival of the ship, and that the ship has not called at any infected area or had direct contact during the voyage with any ship from any infected area or having on board any case of infectious disease, and shall satisfy that Port Health Officer or authorised officer that the granting of pratique shall not be attended by any danger.
The Master or any other person on board including a ship's surgeon, if one is carried, shall accurately and completely answer any other questions put to him by the Port Health Officer or authorised officer in regard to the sanitary condition of the ship, the health of the passengers and crew or of any ship with which there has been direct contact during the voyage, and shall furnish any such officer with all such information and assistance as he may reasonably require.
In the event of any suspected disease or fever on board a ship before arrival at the port and any other circumstances requiring the attention of the Port Health Officer, the Master shall:
  1. if the ship is equipped with a suitable radio transmitting apparatus and is due to arrive at a radio receiving port, send before arrival, either directly to the Port Health Officer or through an Agent approved by him, a radio message to that effect.
  2. if the ship is not so equipped or is due to arrive elsewhere than at a radio receiving port, notify the Port Health Officer immediately on arrival of the presence on board of such infectious disease, or suspected conditions.
Any radio message sent shall: 
  1. embody such of the items of information as are applicable
  2. be sent so as to reach the Port Health Officer not more than 12 hours, and not less than 4 hours, before the expected arrival of the ship
  3. if it is in code, conform with the section relating to standard quarantine messages of the International Code of Signals.
Any ship arriving at its first port of call in Ghana from a foreign port shall be deemed to have come from an infected local area, and shall be required to comply with the provisions as to flags and signal lights as prescribed until granted free pratique by the Port Health Officer or authorised officer.
These signals are to be shown on arrival within 3 n.m.of land, by vessels requiring or required to show their state of health.
By Day: 
  1. ``Q'' flag signifying ``my ship is healthy and I request free pratique'' or
  2. ``Q'' flag over first substitute (``QQ'') signifying ``my ship is suspect, i.e. I have had a case or cases of infectious disease more than 5 days ago, or there has been unusual mortality among the rodents on board my ship'' or
  3. ``Q'' flag over ``L'' flag (``QL'') signifying ``my ship is infected'' i.e. I have had a case or cases of infectious disease less than 5 days ago
By Night:  During the whole of the time between sunset and sunrise, a red light over a white light, the lights being not more than 1.82 m. apart shown at the peak or where the signal can best be seen from the shore, and exhibited only when the ship is within the presence of a port signifying ``I have not received free pratique''
Any ship displaying the appropriate signal in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (3) above shall, as soon as practicable, be visited by the Port Health Officer or authorised officer, who shall grant pratique or take such other steps as may be necessary before granting pratique.
A ship which has been granted free pratique at its first port of call in Ghana, which has not been declared an infected area, shall not be required to obtain further pratique at another port in Ghana.
Also see Medical.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:  Effective 1 March 2015 the Ghana Shippers’ Authority requires an Advance Shipment Information (ASHI) document, generated at the port of loading and covering each Bill of Lading for shipments arriving at seaports of Ghana. The ASHI is mandatory for all imports into Ghana based on Bill of Lading date. Any shipment not accompanied by a validated ASHI document cannot be cleared through Customs and the appropriate penalties as enshrined in the law may apply. The ASHI document will be secured by the exporter from origin. It will be mandatory for all Shipping Lines operating into Ghana to quote a valid ASHI number on their Bills of Lading and Cargo Manifests issued in respect of cargo shipped to Ghana.
G-CAP:  Ghana Conformity Assessment Program (G-CAP) was implemented on the 1 March 2015 with the objective to ensure the quality of products as well as the health, safety and environmental protection of Ghanaian consumers, and to prevent the importation of unsafe, substandard and/or counterfeit goods.
Shipments performed as from 1 March 2015 will have to present a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for Customs clearance; shipments performed as from 1 March 2015 and arriving without a CoC will be subject to a penalty of 30% CIF (cost + insurance + freight).
Certificate of Conformity (CoC):  A Certificate of Conformity is the document issued to evidence the compliance of the shipment to the relevant approved standards. This document is required for Customs clearance. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) will only grant release of such goods upon completion of inspection, testing (where applicable) and verifying conformity to the standard. It is the seller’s responsibility to ensure that shipments to Ghana are effected only upon issuance of a Certificate of Conformity or confirmed certification decision.
Non-Conformity Report (NCR):  A Non Conformity Report (NCR) is the document to be issued if the reports from the verification activities, such as testing or inspection, show discrepancies versus the verification criteria and such discrepancies are not corrected by the exporter/manufacturer. The issuance of a NCR implies that goods are not allowed to enter in Ghana.
Labelling:  All labels on packaged goods shall be in English language or at least include English. Packaged goods shall indicate the batch numbers, date of manufacture and expiry date, or best before date or use by date in respect of food. Where goods consist of small packages which cannot be conveniently marked or labelled, the outer package, enclosing the small packages, shall be labelled in accordance with the rules.
Used Vehicles:  A motor car or commercial vehicle of more than ten years old shall not be imported into Ghana. Right-handed steering motor vehicle shall not be imported into Ghana.
Prohibited Goods: 
  1. used underwear
  2. used sanitaryware
  3. used handkerchiefs
  4. used mattresses
  5. used fridges
  6. used air conditioners
  7. high energy consumption bulbs
  8. used LPG cylinders
  9. non handling fire crackers
  10. animal products with fat content exceeding 15%, e.g. turkey tail
  11. products containing organoclorines
  12. ozone depleting substances
  13. weapons, explosives and ammunitions, unless permission has been obtained
  14. diseased animals and animal carcasses
  15. plant, plant product disease or pest, soil, foreign soil, manure, grass and other parking materials liable to harbour dangerous disease or pest.
Exempted Goods:  Goods exempted from G-CAP:
  1. consignments of free on board (FOB) value not exceeding USD3,000 (excluding used motor vehicles)
  2. diplomatic cargo
  3. personal effects
  4. live animals.
Also see Customs.
POLLUTION:  The lead agency for dealing with oil spills in Ghana is the Environment Protection Agency of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, which works in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The Chief of Naval Operations would provide the on-scene commander to coordinate military involvement in spill reconnaissance and clean-up.
There is very little dedicated oil spill response equipment available in Ghana. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority have two tugs at Tema and one tug at Takoradi fitted with booms, skimmers and tank receptacles. Also some vacuum trucks are available. Military sources under the control of the on-scene commander would provide aircraft for surveillance and monitoring duties.
Contact:  Operations Room, Navy Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra T: +233 30 277 7991. F: +233 30 276 1390. Alternatively, contact the nearest Coast/Port Radio Station on VHF.
Environmental Protection Agency. T: +233 30 266 4697. F: +233 30 267 7702.
MEDICAL:  Medical facilities are poor outside towns. Emergency facilities are extremely limited. For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation will be necessary. Make sure you have adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Serious tropical illnesses like malaria, Lassa fever and yellow fever occur in Ghana; yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Cases of Monkey pox have been reported in Ghana with majority of cases concentrated in the Greater Accra region. Measures to prevent further spread, including contact tracing and quarantine, are ongoing. Ghana is implementing 21 days quarantine for all contacts and cases.
PIRACY:  Problems have been experienced at Tema with most attacks occurring whilst at anchor.
Piracy Reporting Centre:  IMB PRC Kuala Lumpur. Tel: +60 (3) 2031 0014. Fax: +60 (3) 2078 5769. [email protected] www.icc-ccs.org/
SITREP:  IMB PRC Malaysia broadcasts SITREP reports to vessels at 0000 GMT via Inmarsat C (Satellite) EGC Safety Net. However, vessels in some parts of the world, that are not considered at risk from piracy, will not receive these messages.
TIME:  GMT throughout the year.
BANKS:  ATMs are common in large towns and will accept many foreign cards. Credit cards are accepted at many hotels, guesthouses and some shops, but Mastercard is not widely accepted. Credit card fraud is common. Take care when using your cards, and contact your card issuer before you travel in case they put a block on your account.
Travellers’ cheques, depending on the issuing bank, can be exchanged in large hotels, banks and bureaux de change. Check with your bank before you travel.
CUSTOMS:  General Customs guide available for download at gra.gov.gh
GCNet MDA:  GCNet eMDA portal is a part of the single electronic window Ghana TradeNet application for online submission, processing, approval and distribution of a wide range of trade related documentation by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). Users of GCNet MDA, be they importer, exporters, clearing agents, logistics companies etc., can interact with the various MDAs involved in the clearance process.
SHORE LEAVE:  Most visits to Ghana are trouble free, but incidents of petty and violent crime do occur. Avoid carrying large sums of money or valuables, use a safe whenever possible and be particularly vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs. Take care at public beaches and avoid going to the beach on your own. Theft is the main problem, but there have been isolated incidents of sexual assault.
Ghana is a conservative and deeply religious country. Although modern and progressive attitudes also prevail, you should show respect for traditional values and morals. Dress modestly in public. Wearing military clothing including camouflage is prohibited.
There has been an increase in street crime in Accra over the past 6 months. If you’re visiting Accra you should be vigilant, particularly at night. Avoid travelling alone and where possible try not to walk to and from destinations. In 2014, there were cases of violent robberies involving foreign nationals who have been attacked and robbed while travelling in taxis after dark. There have also been incidents where an assailant has been concealed in the boot of the taxi.
REPATRIATION:  Ghana recognises dual nationality. To avoid visas fees, dual-Ghanaian nationals should register with the Interior Ministry in Ghana and get a Dual Nationality Card. Production of this card at point of entry into Ghana will indicate that a visa, if applicable, is not required.
Theft of luggage and travel documents occurs at Kotoka International Airport and in hotels. Make sure your passport is secure at all times and don’t leave baggage unattended. Be wary of offers of help at the airport unless from uniformed porters or officials. All permanent staff at the airport wear an ID card showing their name and a photo. ID cards without a photo are not valid. If you are being collected at the airport, confirm the identity of your driver by asking for ID. Foreign nationals have been robbed by impostors who have approached them before the main arrivals area pretending to be their driver.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:  Carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times, and put the original document in a safe.
AUTHORITY:  Head Office:  Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Corporate Headquarters, PO Box 150, Tema, Greater Accra, Ghana. T: +233 30 320 4385, 30 320 4386. F: +233 30 320 2812. [email protected] www.ghanaports.gov.gh Contact: Michael Luguje, Director General GPHA.