Expats in Ghana

The Republic of Ghana is the second most populated country in West Africa (after Nigeria). The weather can best be described as tropical, with the country only having two main seasons – the wet season and the dry season. The geography is varied, with savannahs, jungle, and 360 miles of coastline. It’s an English speaking country, though French is slowly taking over due to their location.

Short Term Living in Ghana for Expats

A visa is required to enter Ghana for all American citizens. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required as part of the process. The cost of a visa varies, normally between $150 and $250.

The Ghana Tourist Visa is valid for 3 months. A ticket showing roundtrip travel, and displaying entry and exit dates is normally required.

Long Term Living in Ghana for Expats

If you plan on establishing residency in Ghana, and staying longer than a tourist visa permits, the main path is a work visa. These must be sponsored by an employer, and the country has limits on how many they issue – making it very hard to obtain one.

Those of African descent may find luck with the Right to Abode program. It gives a path to citzenship for those with African ancestry, and as long as you can show you are financially self sufficient, haven’t been convicted of any offense with a sentence greater than 12 months, can find two Ghanians to attest to your moral character (thoe who attest on your behalf must be notaries public, lawyers, senior public officers or any other class of persons approved of by the Minister), and can make a substantial contribution to the development of Ghana. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Food in Ghana

Those in Ghana looking for a taste of home have some options. Pizza and wing places are popular around Accra (the capitol and most popular city for expats), as well as the chains KFC and Burger King.

Traditional food in Ghana consists of stews, soups, and plenty of seafood. Fish is a large part of most Ghanians diet, and banku is one of the countries most iconic dishes.

Real Estate in Ghana

Accra is the most popular city in Ghana for expats, and the housing market can be tough at times. A 1 bedroom apartment in the city center is roughly $640 a month, while a 1 bedroom outside the city is only $110 per month. On average, the cost of living in Accra is 45% less than the US. Those venturing outside the city will find much more affordable options at the cost of conveniance.

Economy in Ghana

The economy in Ghana is heavily dependant on the mining industry. Ghana is the 7th largest producer of gold in the world, and also has large diamond reserves. They also produce an excess of petroleum, having the 5th largest reserves in Africa.

The national strategy of Ghana has a growing focus on technology, with the goal to become the tech hub of West Africa.

Ghana is shifting it’s partnerships for trade primarily to East Asia and Southeast Asia.

Safety in Ghana

Ghana is a moderate income, stable country. It’s considered relatively safe,

Ghana has a murder rate of 2.1 for every 100k residents. For comparison, the murder rate per 100k in the US is 4.96. Human trafficking does exist in Ghana, though citizens are the most common targets and not foreigners.

Below is the US State Departments guidance on Ghana (as of 5-11-2021):

Violent crimes, such as armed robbery and kidnapping, occasionally occur. Robberies on highways are of particular concern, especially at night. Armed robbers also sometimes target vehicles coming from Kotoka International Airport. If your car is hit by another car while you are driving, go directly to the nearest police station to report the incident. Reports of residential robberies continue to be on the rise.

 

Street crime remains a serious problem in Accra and other large cities. Thieves carry out crimes of opportunity, such as “snatch & grabs,” on city streets in isolated areas as well as from vehicles idling in traffic. Pickpockets are also prevalent in crowded areas.

 

Luggage and travel document theft occurs at Kotoka International Airport in Accra and in hotels across Ghana. Keep your documents secure at all times, and don’t leave your baggage unattended. Be wary of all offers of unsolicited assistance at the airport from anyone other than uniformed porters or officials.

 

Credit card fraud is common. Exercise caution when using credit and ATM cards in Ghana. It is very common for scammers to tamper with credit card terminals. Skimming is the primary means of credit card fraud, and is undetectable until fraudulent charges appear on statements. If you choose to use a credit card anywhere in Ghana, monitor your credit card activity closely.

 

There are a number of ongoing chieftaincy disputes in Ghana that generally involve competition over limited resources. Several of these disputes have erupted into violence and unrest during recent years. Exercise caution in rural areas and remain alert to outbreaks of unrest.