Ghana Basic Facts:
Ghana is generally considered West Africa's most popular tourist destinations. It is officially the safest and friendliest country filled with interesting historical sights, lots of culture, colourful festivals, good beaches and a decent wildlife parks.
Background:
Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Previously known as the slave-coast, Ghana is considered to be the former home of many black diasporas’ such as blacks in North America the Caribbean and the U.K.
Location: Ghana is located in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo.
Area: 239,460 sq km, (slightly smaller than the UK).
Capital City: Accra
Population: Over 23 million people live in Ghana
Language: English (official) and many African languages including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga.
Religion: Christian 63%, Muslim 16% and indigenous beliefs 21%.
Climate: Ghana has a tropical climate, it is warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north.
Ghanaian Currency:
The currency of Ghana is the Cedi (pronounced Seedy or C.D.). It may be difficult to acquire Cedi’s outside of Ghana so we recommend arriving with traveler’s cheques, Pounds Sterling, Euro’s, American dollars or Canadian dollars. Once in Ghana we will assist you in exchanging your currency and/or travelers cheques into the local Cidi’s at some of our reputable banks such as Barkley’s Banks.
Suggested Packing List
1. Good quality sunglasses
2. Golf-shirts, T-shirts and long-sleeved cotton shirts
3. Shorts/skirts
4. Long trousers/slacks
5. Track suit
6. Underwear and socks
7. Good walking (running/tennis shoes are fine)
8. Swimming attire
9. Camera equipment
10. Malaria tablets
11. Moisturising cream & suntan lotion
12. Insect repellent
13. Basic medical kit (aspirins, Band-Aids, Imodium)
14. Tissues/"Wet Ones"
15. Visas, tickets, passports, money etc
16. A flashlight (torch) with spare batteries
17. Light rain gear
