Capital
Accra.
Population: 1,925,000 (official estimate 2001).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1957.
Head of State: President John Agyekum Kufuor since 2000.

Language
The official language is English. Local Ghanaian languages are widely spoken, including Akan, Ewe, Fante, Ga, Moshi-Dagomba and Twi.

Religion
Christian (69 per cent), Muslim and traditional beliefs. All forms of religion have a strong influence on Ghanaian life.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; usually three-pin plugs. Single phase three-pin plugs are used in larger buildings. Older buildings have two-pin plugs. Light bulbs are of the bayonet type.


Special Events
Ghanaian festivals are well worth seeing, with drumming, dancing and feasting. Every part of the country has its own annual festivals for the affirmation of tribal values, the remembrance of ancestors and past leaders, and the purification of the state in preparation for another year. The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Ghana; for more information and exact dates, contact the tourist office (see General Info section):

Jan:    Edina Buronya (New Year), Elmina.
Feb:    DipoKrobo, Odumase.
Mar:    Gologo, Talensi, Tong-Zuf.
Jul 5:    Bakatue, Elmina.
Aug:    Akwambo, Agona Nyakrom, Agona Swedru.
Sep:    Odwira, Akropong; Kobine, Lowra.
Nov:    Mmoaninko, Ofinso.
Nov 5:    Hogbetsotso, Anloga.
Dec:    Fiok, Centime.

Ghana is divided into 10 regions (Accra, Central Region, Western Region, Volta Region, Ashanti Region, Eastern Region, Brong Ahafo Region, Northern Region, Upper East Region and Upper West Region), but for the purpose of this guide, the country has been split into just four regions. This does not necessarily reflect administrative or tribal boundaries. For further details of tours within Ghana, contact the Ghana High Commission (see General Info section).

Greater Accra Region
Accra
The National Museum has a large collection of Ghanaian art. The Makola Market, a large and busy open-air market, is located on Kojo Thompson Road. Traders from surrounding villages bring their wares every day. The Center for National Culture is an arts center and crafts market, where crafts, kente and other traditional cloths can be purchased. The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum on the High Street is a magnificent monument to the first President of Ghana. The National Theater is a Chinese showpiece and the venue for musical shows, plays, dances and conferences.

Aburi
Located 38km (24 miles) to the north of Accra, Aburi is in the Akwapim Hills. The Sanatorium (now a rest house), built there in the 19th century, is indicative of the refreshing climate. The Botanical Gardens, planted by British naturalists in colonial days, has a comprehensive array of subtropical plants and trees.

Ada
A popular resort at the mouth of the Volta, this is where Ghanaians and tourists go for watersports. A luxury hotel has been built here. Swimming is safe in the river mouth. Anglers have the opportunity to catch barracuda and Nile perch. Nearby are the salt marshes of the Songow Lagoon, famous for their birdlife.

Shai Hills Game Reserve
A comparatively small reserve some 50km (30 miles) by road from Accra. Horses may be hired here to explore the park.

Central and Western Region
The central region of Ghana borders the Gulf of Guinea and is home to ancient castles and forts that were often used during the slave trade as holding areas for human cargo. Cape Coast Castle, built in the 16th-century and later reconstructed and enlarged, served as the seat of British administration in the then Gold Coast until 1877 (when administration moved to Christiansborg Castle in Accra). Further west is the Castle of Elmina (‘the mine’). Elmina was the first Portuguese settlement in Ghana. This huge 15th-century fort, that largely remains intact, is the location of one of the first Catholic churches in sub-Saharan Africa. Fort St Jago was primarily used as a military base and stands on a hill commanding fabulous views of both Elmina and the Atlantic Ocean. Cultural shows are often performed at the castles and guided tours are available. Fort St Jago and Cape Coast Castle have both been declared World Heritage Monuments by UNESCO.

Kakum National Park
Located 20km from Cape Coast, the park is a protected conservation area, following governmental concerns to promote ecotourism. Wildlife that can be seen includes elephants, bongo antelopes, monkeys, over 800 species of rare birds, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles. Visitors can view wildlife at tree canopy level from the 333m tree-top walkway.

West Coast
There are many popular beach resorts along the western coast. At Dixcove there is a fish market and a 17th-century British fort. Nearby Busua is a tropical beach with palms and spectacular Atlantic breakers. However, as with much of the Ghanaian coast, swimming is unsafe due to the treacherous undertow of the waves. In this area there are to be found small rocky inlets that are safe for swimming.

Volta and Ashanti Region
The Volta region is dominated by Volta Lake, the largest manmade lake on earth. The waterway stretches for two-thirds of the length of the country. A round trip on the car ferry to Kete-Krachi takes one day; alternatively, take the three-day trip to the northern capital of New Tamale at the head of the lake. There are facilities for sailing, water-skiing and other watersports. Ferry links across the lake now make the region more accessible (see Travel – Internal section). Akosombo, center to the important Akosombo irrigation dam, is developing as a holiday resort, particularly for watersports.

Kumasi
This is the historic capital of the Ashanti civilization, where ruins of the Manhyia Palace and the Royal Mausoleum burnt down by Lord Baden-Powell may be examined. The Cultural Center is a complex comprising a museum, library and outdoor auditorium largely devoted to the Ashanti. There is also a ‘Living Museum’, a farm and reconstituted village, where craftspeople such as potters, goldsmiths and sculptors can be seen at work using traditional methods. Of particular interest are weavers making the vividly colored kente cloth, the ceremonial dress of the region.

Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary
Located to the west, close to Kumasi. Further to the northeast is the Boufom Wildlife Sanctuary, containing the spectacular Banfabiri Falls. To the south is the pleasant gold-mining city of Obuasi.

Northern Region
The northern region is characterized by high plains and a central plateau rising between 150m and 300m. West of the region’s main town, Tamale, lies Mole National Park, which is one of the best-equipped nature reserves in Ghana. Visitors can go either on foot or hire a 4-wheel drive vehicle, but must always be accompanied by a guide. Routes are planned to take in species of antelope, monkeys, buffalo, warthog and - more rarely - lions and elephants which have been introduced into the region. Unlike in many other African game reserves, visitors are allowed to camp and explore the area at will rather than being confined to a car on a set route. Tourist facilities exist at the entrance to the park; these include a motel with restaurant. Situated five miles north of Mole National Park, the Larabanga Mosque is well worth visiting. Built in the style of former Western Sudanese Empires, it houses a holy Koran and is believed by locals to be a ‘God-built mosque’.

Social Conventions
Ghanaians should always be addressed by their formal titles unless they specifically request otherwise. Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. It is customary in much of West Africa not to use the left hand for touching food. Photography: Permission should be sought before photographing military installations, government buildings or airports.

Tipping
When a service charge is not included, a 10 per cent tip is usual.

International Travel:

Note
The Government of Ghana has lifted the state of emergency that had been in place in the Tamale municipality and Yendi District of the Northern Region of Ghana for the last two years. But visitors considering traveling to the Northern Region should still be alert to potential outbreaks of fighting. Whilst traveling in most regions of Ghana is trouble-free, a high level of vigilance in public areas - and when traveling by road - should be exercised.

Air
Following safety concerns in 2004, the Ghanaian Government took full control of the national airline, Ghana Airways, and is in the process of launching its replacement, Ghana International Airlines. Commercial operations are set to begin in late 2005.Several airlines fly from Accra to London and New York, including Alitalia, British Airways, FlyJet, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss and United Airlines.

Approximate flight times
From London to Accra is six hours 30 minutes (direct) or eight hours 25 minutes (with stopover in Kano). From New York is nine hours 30 minutes (direct).

International airports
Accra (ACC) (Kotoka), 10km (6 miles) north of Accra (travel time – 20 minutes). Taxis to the city are available. Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, car hire, duty free shops, restaurants and tourist information.

Departure Tax
US$20.

Sea
Ghana has two deep-water ports, one at Takoradi, the other at Tema. Ships run between Tema and Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and South Africa.

Road
A coast road links Lagos (Nigeria), Cotonou (Benin) and Lomé (Togo) to Accra. The best internal road from Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) runs inland through Kumasi. The main north–south route is also in good condition. Buses and taxis run between Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Ghana. The road from Burkina Faso crosses the border at Navrongo. Long-distance taxis operate between Ghana and neighboring countries. See Travel – Internal for information on documentation.

The following goods may be imported into Ghana by persons aged 16 and over without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 750ml of spirits or 750ml of wine; 227ml of perfume.

Note
Duty must be paid on gifts.

Restricted items
Animals, firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Internal Travel:

Air
There are domestic services between Accra, Kumasi and Tamale.

Departure tax
¢1000.

Lake
A lake steamer runs regularly across Lake Volta between Akosombo and Yeji. Ferries connect at Yeji for Buipe and Makongo, from both of which it is possible to arrange onward transportation to Tamale.

Rail
The rail network is limited to a 1000km- (600 mile-) loop by the coast connecting the cities Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi and several intervening towns. Trains run at least twice a day on all three legs of this single-track triangle. There are two classes of ticket. Passenger cars are not air conditioned. Children under three years of age travel free; half-fare is charged for children aged three to 11.

Road
There are 38,940km (24,196 miles) of roads, generally in good condition, although the stretch between Kamasi and Tamale may be prone to pot-holes. Traffic drives on the right. Car hire: Available but extremely expensive, with or without driver. Coach: State-run and private coach services connect all major towns. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A British driving license is valid for 90 days.

Urban
Roads in the major towns have undergone massive renovation to improve traffic flow. Accra has extensive bus and taxi services operated by the private sector. There are over 300,000 conventional taxis. Drivers do not generally expect tips. Other ways of getting around, for the more adventurous traveller, are tro-tros (minibuses) and mammy wagons (converted pick-up trucks).