This friendly and stable multi-party democratic republic on Africa's west coast enjoys an expanding and vibrant economy built on gold, precious minerals, cocoa, timber and tourism. Ghana is also rapidly developing an economy and infrastructure that should see her join the newly industrialized economies shortly. Ghana practices a liberalised economy with a floating currency and a wide use of foreign exchange bureau.

Ghana has attractive investment incentive and guarantees for local and foreign investors. What makes Ghana unique is its history and heritage portraying its coastal castles, grim relics of the slave trade and its many regional festivals. All these are becoming a focus for eco-tourism. As such, in 2001, Eco-fest, the first ever, was held in Ghana.

Ghana has hundreds of kilometers of unspoilt beaches, over 10, 000 hotel rooms in about 703 hotels, including 3, 4, 5 star hotels. There are top class restaurants, wildlife parks, and safe streets.

Undisputedly, Ghana's greatest asset is its people who are renowned the world over for their warmth, cheerfulness, and hospitality.

Ghana’s tourist Development Plan has produced far-reaching consequences.

With the holding of the African – African American Summit in 2001, government has in 2002 granted dual citizenship to its citizens residing outside the country. Also visa and airport formalities have been simplified, restrictions on movements within the country abolished and currency exchange facilities at market rates introduced through out the country. The country’s political stability and low crime rate makes it one of the safest destinations in Africa.

Ghana has modern telecommunication facilities as well as first class seaports and a modernized international airport in Accra. Recent development of modern hotels, convention facilities and theatres has made Ghana Africa's newest tourist and convention destination with Europe and the United States as its biggest markets. Kotoka Airport in Accra seems set to become a significant hub linking flights between these areas with much of West, East and Southern Africa.

Several international airlines, including Ghana Airways, operate regular scheduled flights to Ghana from major cities in North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Apart from the international airports Ghana also has domestic airports in Kumasi, Sunyani, and Tamale. There are two harbours in Tema and Tarkoradi and an inland port in Fumesua in the Ashanti Region.

Visas
Visas are required for entry into Ghana. Ghana missions and Embassies abroad will assist in issuing individual as well as group visas. Visas are also obtainable on arrival at the port of entry.

Health Requirements

Please do not forget to bring your health certificate, to show that you have yellow fever vaccination. You are also advised to consult your doctor well in advance of your visit so that you may begin the usual anti-malarial treatment.

Climate
Bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by La Cote d`Ivoire, the east by Togo and the north by Burkina Faso, Ghana is a tropical country. Its southwestern part is located within the warm wet forest zone similar to the Amazon. Accra, the capital, is located in the dry equatorial zone. Kumasi is in the wet semi-equatorial region while further north is the tropical continental savanna. It lies between 4o and 11o North of the equator and has a coastline of 540 km. Northern Ghana has a rainy season from about April to October. The rest of the year is hot and dry, with temperatures up to about 38o C. In Southern Ghana the rains last from April to June and again from September to October. Generally temperatures are between 2lo ~32o C.

Currency
Ghana’s currency is the cedi (¢) and pesewas, which comes in denominations of ¢100, ¢200, ¢500, ¢1000, ¢5000. Coins come in denominations of ¢10, ¢20, ¢50, ¢100, ¢20O ¢500 and10, 20, 50 and 100 pesewas. Foreign currency can be freely exchanged at any Forex Bureau in the country. Apart from Forex Bureau, some commercial banks also exchange foreign currency. Banks are normally open from 8:30am to 2:00pm, Monday through Thursday and until 3:00pm on Friday.

Travellers’ Cheques
All banks and Forex Bureau accept travellers’ Cheques although the rate of exchange may be slightly lower than in a cash transaction.

Credit Cards
The most widely accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners, and Visa. Your card may be used for payment at nearly all airlines, leading hotels, and major supermarkets.

Hotel
Ghana offers a wide range of hotel accommodation for her growing economy and tourist industry: cosmopolitan, metropolitan, town and country hotels and park lodges of varying comfort, elegance and convenience abound. Ghana’s hotels are classified according to international star rating system with 5 star as the highest and one star the minimum internationally acceptable quality. In addition, there are local budget hotels.

Culture
Centuries of tradition of the people of Ghana and the diversity of the distinct ethnic groups have created a rich culture that is the splendid legacy of modern Ghana.

To the people of Ghana, the traditions of their ancestors are still an important part of their daily life. Traditional chiefs have historical authority over tribal and family matters. They are also custodians of land belonging to their respective clans or groups.

The nation’s diverse culture is depicted through its many exciting festivals, which are held throughout the year. These reflect the rich history and culture of tribal life in the regions.

FESTIVALS
Throughout Ghana, practically every town and village becomes animated with excitement at festival time. Visitors are often welcomed into homes to share drinks and meals and are given traditional clothes to wear so they can join in the street celebrations. Each festival commemorates an event, a war, puberty rites or harvest. Adherents of whatever religion participate without inhibition in these festivals. Filming and photography are allowed.

Many festivals are celebrated in Ghana. In fact every tribe or clan has a festival it celebrates. These are some of the festivals celebrated in Ghana.

JANUARY
Apafram of the Akwamu, Eastern Region;
The Rice Festival of Akpafu, Volta Region and
The Begum of Walewale, Tamale and yendi

FEBRUARY
Papa Festival in Kumawu, Ashanti Region

MARCH
Asikoe in Anfoega, Volta Rgion;
Volo in the Akuse area;
Damba of Dagbon in the Northern Region
Dipo at Manya and Yilo Krobo, Eastern Region

APRIL
Most villages and towns in the Volta and Eastern Regions celebrate festivals during Easter.

MAY
The 1st Saturday is the famous Aboakyer Festival in Winneba
Donkyi festival at Mamase, Brong Ahafo Region
Don at Bolgatanga, Upper East Region and
Beng at Sonyo Kipo near Bole, Northern Region.

JUNE
Ohumkan at Kyebi;
Asafua feast at Sekondi;
Ahukan of the Akim, Kibi; Gyenpren at Tafo;
Ahobaa at Enyan-Kakraba, and
Apiba at Senya Beraku, Central Region;

JULY
Ist Tuesday is the Bakatue Festival in Elmina, Central Region;
Bombei, Ekyem Kofi, and
The Kundum, Western Region.

AUGUST
1st Sat. is Asafotu - Fiam at Ada, Eastern Region
Homowo in and around Accra, Greater Accra Region;
Fetu at Cape Coast, and
Eguado To and Ahobaa Kese at Abura, Central Region
Edim Kese at sekondi, and
Apatwa, Dixcove, Western Region.

SEPTEMBER
Ist Sat. is Fetu Afahye Festival, Cape Coast; Central Region,
Odwira Festival in Akropong, Amanokrom
And Aburi, Eastern Region
Akyempem at Agona, Ashanti Region.

OCTOBER
Kundum at Esiama,Western Rgion

NOVEMBER
Hogbetsotso, Volta Region;
Adae Kese, the grandest of all Ashanti festivals in Kumasi
Fae, harvest feast at Paga, Upper East Region;
Kafie Festival, Dormaa Brong-Ahafo.

DECEMBER
Yam Festival at Anfoega, Volta Region.

Funky destinations

Wli Waterfalls and Mount Afadjato in the Volta region.
Kakum National Park in Ankasa Forest, in the Central Region
Buabeng - Flema Monkey Sanctuary, in Brong Ahafo Region
Paga Crocodile Ponds, Bolgatanga
The new national Cultural Center at Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The Cape Coast Castle, Elmina and other coastal forts and castles.
The Mole and the Bui Game Reserves, in the Northern Region.

Due to these measures, tourism is Ghana’s fastest growing industry at up to about 16% annually and has become its third largest foreign exchange earner, after gold and cocoa. Tourist arrivals jumped from about 85,000 in 1995 to 304,860 in 1997 and 325, 438 in 1998. Revenue from tourism increased more that fifteen fold during the period.