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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.

Capital: Accra
Region: Africa
Language: English
Currency: GHS (GHc)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 31)
Emergency: 112
Free
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Getting Around

Transport options for living in Ghana.

Public Transport Overview

Accra and Kumasi rely on trotros, shared taxis, private taxis, app rides and limited bus corridors rather than a metro system. Trotros are cheap but hard for newcomers; expats usually begin with Bolt/Uber/Yango, then learn regular trotro routes.

Main operators:
AayaloloMetro Mass TransitIntercity STCVIP JeounOA Travel and ToursBoltUberYangoTrotro unions/GPRTU

🎫 Transit Passes

Aayalolo/Q Bus tickets Low single fares, route dependent

Selected Accra corridors

💡 Service levels vary; check locally before relying on it for commuting.
Intercity STC ticket Route/class dependent

Major intercity routes

💡 Book ahead for holiday weekends and long-distance travel.
VIP Bus ticket Route/class dependent

Accra-Kumasi and other major corridors

💡 Popular private coach option with frequent departures.

Taxi & Rideshare

Shared taxis run fixed local routes; dropping taxis are negotiated private taxis. Agree the price before entering if no app meter is used.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

Bolt, Uber and Yango operate in Accra and some other cities. Confirm number plate, ask the driver to end cash trips properly, and avoid late-night pickups in isolated areas.

Cycling

Cycling infrastructure is limited and traffic can be aggressive. Use quiet neighbourhoods, university campuses and coastal/leisure routes; helmet and lights are essential.

Intercity Trains

Passenger rail is limited and not a primary expat transport option in 2026. Use reputable buses or domestic flights for long distances.

Driving

Driving is on the right. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, 100 km/h on motorways. Accra traffic is heavy, road quality varies, and night driving outside cities carries higher risk from poor lighting, pedestrians, animals and breakdowns.

Airports

Kotoka International Airport in Accra is the main international gateway. Use official airport taxis, hotel pickups or app rides from the correct pickup area; allow generous time for traffic.