Ghana gap year advice

You can download a copy of this gap year advice for Ghana in PDF format. You will need the Acrobat reader from Adobe to view the advice.

Visas

Visas are required for all UK residents. They can be obtained from the Ghana High Consulate Visa Section in London:

Ghanaian Consulate General/ Visa Section
104 Highgate Hill
London
N6 5HE
Tel:+(44) (0)20 8342 7500/ 7501

A passport valid for six months beyond your arrival in Ghana is also required.

Health and safety

As with many countries in Africa, you need to take careful measures to ensure a healthy gap year experience.

Precautions before you go :

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Ghana
Cholera inoculation advised
Typhoid inoculation advised
Malaria pills advised
Medical recommendation can change fast however, so we suggest you contact your doctor for the latest advice.

Precautions while you are there :

Don't drink tap water
If you want to sample street food, try to only eat food that is freshly cooked. Don't eat food that has been standing. And don't eat fruit that is already peeled
Apply sun protection always and carry a water bottle around with you
Diarrhea is nothing to worry about if it goes within a day or two. See a doctor immediately if it persists or is accompanied by fever

Insurance

Taking out medical insurance is a must.

But be aware that if you do need medical care, Ghanaian hospitals may not accept payment through your insurance company. If this happens, you will have to pay for your treatment and then file a claim with your insurance company. So you should always have access to cash just in case, either from a credit card or by wire transfer.

Climate

Average temperatures in Ghana range from 29° and 37° centigrade so it is always hot and only light clothing is ever needed.

The rainy season is from May to September when the temperature drops to around 25° centigrade. Between December and February, the Harmattan wind blows dust from the desert to the coast.

The heat tends to hit visitors when they first arrive, but they gradually acclimatize. The coastal breezes at Langma Beach and Accra do take the edge of the heat.

Best time to visit

The months from October to April are best for travel to Ghana as this avoids the rainy season. But the rains are not bad enough to stop you travelling during the rainy season if this suits you. And you will enjoy the Ghana landscape at its lushest if you travel during the wet months.

Safety at Langma Beach

Be cautious swimming in the sea. The Ghana coast is on the continental shelf and can fall away very suddenly. And there are no coast guards. So best practice is not to go out beyond where the water comes up to your waist.

The weather may look overcast but don't think the sun has disappeared. It is possible to get sunburnt in Ghana through light cloud so always apply sun protection.

Costs

It is very cheap to live in Ghana. The Cedi, the local currency, is weak, making many items inexpensive to Westerners. For example, a burger or pizza in Accra might cost around 50,000 cedis - around £3.00.

Eating in hotels, taking taxis and so on can be expensive however. So you need to budget for the standard of living you would like.

For average students, £30 a week should be enough. If you want to live very comfortably, £70 a week is a generous estimate.

Getting out money is not a problem. Barclays bank is well represented in Ghana, as is Visa.

Sex

Aids is present in Ghana, even if not on the scale of some East and South African countries. Best advice is to refrain from unprotected sex (but you do that anyway, right?). The highest concentration of Aids infection is among the prostitutes of Accra. So be warned.

Snakes

You probably won't encounter a snake but it is best to be aware of the risk.

Snakes are reputed to come down to the sea at night at Langma beach. Although we have never met one, you should be careful if going on the beach at night.

There are snakes in the Ghanaian bush, so be aware of your surroundings and wear protective clothing (e.g. trousers and hiking boots) if walking in rural areas.

You can download a PDF guide to snake precautions and first aid. You will need the Acrobat reader from Adobe to view this guide.

PDF version