So you’re planning a trip to Ghana.  There are a number of things you need to do before you leave.  This article will help you to know what to do.  This will also tell you what to expect when you arrive there.

Preparation for the trip:

1.      Acquire your traveling documents

a.      Passport:  For Americans, passport is issued by the Federal Government.  You can usually get the forms at the local post office, or the County Clerk’s office.  Get the forms and follow the instructions.  You will need passport photos to turn in with your application.

NOTE:  Once you have received your passport it must be signed.  Open to the page with your photo and you will find a place for your signature.

NOTE:  Make a photocopy of your passport, and take it with you on your trip.  Keep it in a place separate from your passport, but keep it safe.  It will be quite helpful if your passport is lost or stolen.  You will be able to take it to an American Embassy or Consulate so you can get your passport replaced.

b.      Visa:  A visa is issued by the country you will be traveling to.  It will be stamped in your passport.  You can get a form from your travel agent, or you can get one online ( Ghana Visa ).  You fill in the form, following instructions.  Then send the form and your PASSPORT to the Ghana Embassy or Consulate.  Your travel agent can take care of this for you.

• Embassy of Ghana, 3512 International Drive, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008; telephone (202) 686-4520. 

• Consular services are also available at the Ghana Permanent Mission to the U.N. at 19 East 47th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017, telephone (212) 832-1300

• Honorary Consulate of Ghana, 3434 Locke Lane, Houston, TX, telephone (713) 960-8806.

The visa costs money.  You will have to use a money order or certified check.  I know of no Embassy that will accept a personal check.

NOTE:  It is usually necessary to have your tickets purchased before you can apply for your visa.  Most visa application forms ask for the ticket number, or a copy of your ticket.

NOTE:  Make a copy of your Visa.  If you lose your passport this will be a blessing, helping you demonstrate you are in the country legally.

2.      Obtain your immunizations

a.      Check with your personal doctor, or medical center for these immunizations.  If they cannot give the immunizations, they will be able to tell you where you may obtain them.

b.      Be sure to have your (Yellow) record of your immunizations.  Where ever you get the immunizations you will be able to get the record booklet from them.

c.      The following immunizations are recommended:

·        Yellow Fever

·        Hepatitis A

·        Hepatitis B

·        Meningococcal vaccine

·        Typhoid

·        Be sure your Polio is up to date

·        Update your Tetanus

·        LARIUM is not an immunization but a prophylactic.  You take a tablet once each week starting two weeks before leaving and continuing three to four weeks after returning.  It is for the prevention of Malaria.  (See d. below)

d.      You can check with the CDC (Center for Disease Control) for any recommendations they might have, and for more information about Malaria, Yellow Fever, etc.

3.      Travel Insurance:

a.      Check with your travel agent for advice concerning travel insurance.  There is a medical type of insurance that will pay certain amounts if you get sick in Ghana, and it will pay for emergency transportation out of the country for medical care.  It is usually very reasonable, about $3.00 per day for each day of the trip. 

b.      Check to see if it will pay for transportation back to the States, or just to the nearest acceptable facility (usually Western Europe).

4.      Hospitalization:

a.      If you have hospitalization insurance, check with your provider to see what, if any, coverage you will have in Ghana.  This will help you to determine what you need to do to be sure you are covered.

b.      There is short term hospitalization coverage available.  Check with your travel agent or insurance agent for help with this.

5.      Tickets:

a.      Buy your tickets well in advance of your flight.  Early purchase sometimes saves you some money.

b.      Check and recheck your tickets.

·        Be sure everyone has the same dates and flights (Travel agents sometimes make mistakes)

·        Be sure the dates and flight times are the correct dates and times

c.      Check, then copy, the itinerary that comes with your tickets.  Give a copy to whoever will be taking you to and picking you up from the airport.

6.      Baggage:

a.      You are allowed a carry-on bag, as well as a personal item, such as a woman’s purse, camera bag, lap-top or briefcase. The carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin, or under the seat in front of your seat.  It is limited in weight also – check with the airlines.

b.      It is wise to have a clean set of clothes, in case of trip interruption, toilet items, any medications (If you are taking any medications, make sure your traveling companions, as well as your Ghanaian host(s) know what you are taking.  Something may happen and they will need to know.) you have to take, as well as some snacks in your carry-on bag.

c.      Currently, you are allowed to take two suitcases. 

·        Their outside dimensions are not supposed to be over 62 inches. 

·        They can weigh up to 70 pounds each, for a total of 140 pounds. 

·        Be sure to check with the airlines before leaving to make sure they have not changed requirements. 

·        DO NOT put valuables (cameras, lap-tops, etc.) or money in your suitcases.

7.      Confirm your flight:

a.      About 72 hours before the flight, call the airline and confirm your flight.  This is a must for international flights, especially in the summer months, as the flights are usually full and overbooked. 

b.      If you do not confirm your flight, they may bump you and give your seat to someone else.

8.      Money:

a.      Carry about $100 in $1.00’s, $5.00’s, $10.00’s and $20.00’s to use during your travel for snacks and incidentals during trip.

b.      Carry money you are expecting to spend in Ghana in NEW, CLEAN, one hundred dollar bills.  You will have to exchange the U.S. dollars for Ghanaian Cedis (see-dees).  You will get the best rate if you use $100 bills.

c.      Traveler’s checks are not recommended.  You will get a very poor exchange rate if you try to cash them in Ghana.

9.      Credit Card:

a.      It is recommended that you have at least one credit card with you.  It should be a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, as these are accepted internationally.

b.      Make sure you are not over the limit.

c.      Make sure it is a real credit card and not a debit card.

10. Driving License:

a.      Do not expect to drive while in Ghana. 

b.      Traffic and laws are different than in the U.S.

11.  Communications:

a.      There will be opportunity to email

b.      There is phone service available so you can call home, but it is expensive.  Plan to pay $1.00+ for each minute

12.  What to expect:

a.      The people of Ghana are very kind.  Be polite to them and they will be very polite to you.  Respect brings respect.

b.      It is very hot.  Expect to sweat.

c.      Our summertime is usually their raining season. 

·        Expect humidity.

·        Expect mosquitoes and prepare for them

• Wear repellant at night

• Take a mosquito net with you from the States and use it

• Spray your room with bug spray an hour before going to be

•  BE SURE TO TAKE YOUR LARIUM.  It is a prophylactic and will help you keep well.

·        Expect mud

d.      Expect things to be much different than they are in the States.  (See Orientation) 

·        Their culture is not our culture

·        Do not expect them to be like you.  They will not expect you to be like them

·        They do not speak English like we do, and you will not speak their language at all.