Ghana (GH)
Ghana is one of West Africa's most attractive expat bases: English-speaking, politically stable, culturally warm and increasingly connected to the global African diaspora.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Ghana is one of West Africa's most attractive expat bases: English-speaking, politically stable, culturally warm and increasingly connected to the global African diaspora. Accra has a strong NGO, energy, education, creative, tech and diplomatic scene; Kumasi offers a lower-cost Ashanti commercial base; Takoradi serves mining, port and oil services; and Cape Coast/Elmina attract heritage tourism and returnee communities. The practical expat reality is highly positive but not effortless: residence permits, work permits, Ghana Card, SSNIT, tax registration, mobile money, rent deposits, private healthcare and traffic planning all matter from the first month.
Climate
March-May: hot and humid in the south, often 26-33 C. The main rainy season begins in southern Ghana, so flooding and traffic delays increase in Accra.
June-August: wetter in the south and cooler along the coast; drier in the north. Accra is usually 24-30 C, while Tamale can be hotter and drier.
September-November: second rainy season in the south, then clearer weather. Good period for housing inspections because drainage, leaks and road access are visible.
December-February: dry season and Harmattan dust, especially in the north and inland. Mornings can be hazy, skin dries out, and air quality can irritate asthma.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
Greetings are important and can be longer than in North America or Europe. Say good morning/afternoon, ask how the person is, and use titles such as Madam, Sir, Auntie, Uncle, Boss or Doctor where appropriate.
Business meetings in banks, embassies and multinationals can be punctual, while social events and some local services run on flexible time. Build buffers for traffic, rain and power/internet outages.
Smart-casual is normal in offices; formal dress is expected for banks, ministries, court, churches and traditional functions. Shorts are fine at beaches but can read too casual in official settings.
- ✕ Using the left hand to give or receive items in traditional settings
- ✕ Photographing people, markets, police, military or sensitive infrastructure without permission
- ✕ Publicly insulting chiefs, elders, religion or ethnicity
- ✕ Assuming all prices are fixed in markets
- ✕ Ignoring funeral, church or mosque etiquette when invited
- ✓ Handshake culture is strong; greet people when entering small offices, shops or shared taxis.
- ✓ Relationships and referrals matter for housing, tradespeople and bureaucracy.
- ✓ Mobile money numbers are treated almost like bank details; confirm recipient names before sending.
- ✓ Funerals are major community events and can affect weekends, traffic and accommodation in some towns.
- ✓ English is official, but Twi, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani and other languages unlock trust quickly.
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
Tomato-spiced rice often served with chicken, fish, shito and salad. Ghana-Nigeria jollof debates are serious social theatre.
Rice and beans cooked with sorghum leaves, commonly eaten with stew, gari, egg, spaghetti, meat or fish. A classic Accra breakfast/lunch.
Pounded cassava/plantain or yam served with goat, chicken or fish soup. Eat with the right hand and do not chew the fufu too much.
Fermented corn and cassava dough served with grilled tilapia, pepper and shito. Popular in chop bars and lakeside restaurants.
Black-eyed beans stew with palm oil, fried plantain and gari. Affordable, vegetarian-friendly and widely available.
Spiced fried plantain sold at night roadside stands. Excellent with roasted peanuts, but check oil freshness and hygiene.
Hibiscus drink flavoured with ginger, pineapple or spices. Sold chilled in bottles and at events.
Fresh fermented palm sap. Drink only from trusted sources because quality changes quickly.
Northern Ghanaian fermented millet or sorghum drink, often served in calabashes.
Caramelised corn drink, especially in southern Ghana, usually served cold.
📍 Tourist Highlights
UNESCO-listed coastal forts central to Atlantic slave-trade history and diaspora heritage travel.
Rainforest canopy walkway, birdlife and day trips from Cape Coast.
Ghana prime wildlife park for elephants, antelope and savanna drives.
Museum and mausoleum for Ghana first president and independence history.
One of the world largest artificial lakes, with weekend resorts and boat trips.
Highland scenery, hiking and waterfalls near the Togo border.
📖 Brief History
Modern Ghana sits on the historic Gold Coast, shaped by Akan, Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, Ga-Dangme and other societies, trans-Saharan and Atlantic trade, the Ashanti Empire, European coastal forts, and British colonial rule. Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule on 6 March 1957 under Kwame Nkrumah. Since the Fourth Republic began in 1992, Ghana has built one of Africa's stronger democratic traditions, with competitive elections, peaceful transfers of power and a growing service economy anchored by gold, cocoa, oil, remittances, logistics, education, tourism and technology.