Ghana Statistics

Geography-Population

Capital:  Accra

Area:  238,533 sq km

Climate:  tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north

Population:  24,791,073 (July 2011 est.)

Languages:  Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba)

Government-Economy

Government type: constitutional democracy

Independence Day: 6 March 1957 (from the UK)

Currency: Ghana Cedis (GHC; symbol ¢); 1GHC = 0.67 USD; 1 USD = 1.50 GHC

GDP: $38.24 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,600 (2010 est.)

Information for Foreign Students in Ghana

Obtaining a Visa

A visa is compulsory for foreigners; there are various kinds of visa: Single-entry: £60 (Tourist or Transit); £80 (Business). Double-entry: £110 (Tourist or Transit); £150 (Business). Multiple-entry: £280 (business) £200 (tourist). We recommend you to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Here is the tourism office website page that provides with complete information: http://www.touringghana.com/visas.asp

Housing

Hotels and guesthouses: http://www.ghanatourism.gov.gh/accommodation/accommodation.asp

Student hostels: http://ghanahostelsltd.com/index.html

Health

According to the Ghanaian High Commission in London, tap water in cities is safe to drink. Other water sources should be regarded as being potentially unsafe, and water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential.

Health insurance is essential, preferably with cover for emergency evacuation. Medical facilities exist in all the regional capitals as well as in most towns and villages. Emergency medical facilities are extremely limited.

Money

The import of local currency is limited to the amount previously taken out of the country and declared. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, but must be declared upon arrival. Credit cards (mainly American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa) are accepted by leading hotels, restaurants, banks, businesses and some shops. In large urban areas such as Accra and Kumasi ATMs are commonplace. There is a Barclays branch in the country. How to open a bank account in Ghana: http://www.bog.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=151&sublinkid=205

Transportation

Car rentals: http://www.touringghana.com/carrentals/carrentals.asp

Phoning

Main towns will have Internet cafés. Charges are significantly higher outside Yaoundé and Douala. The service is often slow and unreliable. Roaming agreements exist with a number of international mobile phone companies. Coverage is patchy but better in the south. International calls can be made from Camtel offices. Telephones can usually be found in post offices and restaurants, and there are telephone booths in the towns. Phonecards are available.