Some Interesting Facts About Ghana

Public Holidays

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1 New Year's Day  
January 21 Eid Al Adha
March 6 Independence Day
March 25 Good Friday
March 27 Easter
March 28 Easter Monday
May 1 Labour Day
May 25 Africa Day
July 1 Republic Day
November 3 Eid Al Fitr  
December 25 Christmas Day  
December 26 Boxing Day
December 31 Revolution Day

Weekend Saturday, Sunday                  

Customs & Duties

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.

Electricity

220v, 50hz is the available specification.

If you are bringing along any electrical appliances, they should operate on or be adaptable to 220 volts. Electric outlets in Ghana accept either 3-pronged, or sometimes 2-pronged, British or Continental European type plugs or converters.

Post & Communications

The local post offices are open to the general public six days a week from 8am to 5pm except on Saturdays when they are open from 9am to 2pm. International calls can be made from any of the Ghana telecom offices which are open from 8am to 8pm. Phone booths require phone cards and are open round the clock. A phone card can be purchased from the telecom offices on weekdays only. Private telecommunication services are available, but are expensive.

Inter-net cafes can only be found in Accra for those who like e-mailing. They cost a modest US$5 per hour

Weights and measures

The metric system is used in Ghana that means weight is measured in kilograms, liquids in litres and distances in kilometres.

Tipping

Tipping is permitted in hotels, restaurants, etc. It is rarely added to the bill. Whenever it is not added, the quality of service should dictate your generosity to the waiter, taxi driver, porter, guide, and other service people.

English Language Media

The Ghanaian1 Times, the Daily Graphic, Business Weekly, the Mirror and the Weekly Spectator are the only known English language media guides.