CLIMATE Bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean and on the West by La Cote divoire, the East by Togo and the North by Burkina Faso. Ghana is a tropical country. The South Western part is located within the warm wet forest zone similar to the Amazon. Accra, the capital, is located in the dry equatorial cones. Kumasi is in the wet savanna. It lies between 4deg; and 11deg; North at the equator and has a coastline of 540 km. Northern Ghana has a range season from about April to October. The rest, of the year is hot and dry, with temperatures up to about 38deg;C. In Southern Ghana the rains last from April to June and again from September to October. Generally temperatures are between 21 - 31°C. The rains are usually restricted to specific times each day during the rainy season; they are not continuous throughout the day. MONEY/CURRENCY Ghanas currency is the cedi which comes in denominations of GHC 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins come in denominations of 1 GHC and also 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p & 1 pesewas. Foreign currency can be freely exchanged at any Forex Bureaux in the country. Apart from Forex Bureaux, some commercial banks also exchange foreign currency. Banks are normally open from 8:30 am to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some banks also operate on Saturdays from 09:00 - 14:00 GMT . Most large commercial banks will also have automatic teller machines located outside and available during and after hours. Most will take VISA and a few other check cards. HOTELS Ghana, offers a wide range of hotel accommodation for her growing economy and tourist industry; cosmopolitan, metropolitan, district town and country hotels and park lodges of varying comfort, elegance and convenience. Ghanas hotels are classified according to the international star-system with 5-star as the highest and one-star being the minimum international acceptable quality. In addition, there are local budget hotels with minimum standards of sanitation and comfort. Hotel License is issued by the Ghana Tourist Board and displayed at the hotel reception. MEDICAL FACILITIES Modern private and public hospitals and clinics are available in all cities and big towns. Tourist should contact travelers medical insurance companies to cover any medical contingencies while away from their home countries. GREETINGS Greeting is an important social function that marks an open heart and mind. It also expresses ones concern for the other. Refusing or failing to greet another person may indicate that you do not care for the others welfare.Do not forget that the smile is also a form of greeting. Please make an effort to pick up some of our simple vernacular greeting forms and win our hearts over. Akan greetings and their meanings: Greeting Akan Translation Welcome Akwaaba Please Mepaokyew Good Morning Maakye Good Afternoon Maa ha Good Evening Maa - Adjo Good Night Da-Yie Farewell Nantee-yie Thank you Medaase HANDSHAKE A handshake is a popular way of greeting in Ghana, especially among males. When you shake hands, please apply the same hand pressure as is offered. When you are shaking hands with a number of people, start from the extreme right and proceed towards the left. Use of the Left Hand The left hand has limited functions in Ghana. In fact the use of the left hand for certain activities is considered an anathema. That is one reason why, when our men wear traditional cloth, we throw the fabric over the left hand. In particular avoid receiving or giving, gesticulating in speech, waving at a person or pointing things out with the left hands. If you are naturally left handed, it is not your fault, and it is no offense. But you can avoid public embarrassment of complications by giving something (e.g. your guide book, camera, souvenir etc.) with the left hand. PALACE ETIQUETTE Our chiefs enjoy receiving foreigners and interacting with them. There are etiquettes that you need to observe. When you are invited to greet a chief or the king, for example, move up towards him and stop short a point from where he is seated, stop and bow. He may graciously invite you to come for a handshake. On formal occasions, we do not speak directly to the king, or chief, for that matter communication at the royal court is a three-way affair through a spokesman (linguist) called Okyeame; who replicates the conversation. The visitor faces the Okyeame and delivers his message to the chief. The chief gives his reply or response to the Okyeame who renders it to the visitor. It is that simple and interesting. This has been our practice from time immemorial. N.B. Normally, visitors to our palaces have to make customary offerings of friendship to their royal hosts. This consists entirely of drinks: Aromatic Schnapps, Gin and or money, the amount and quantities depending on the size or enthusiasm of the group. TRAVELERS CHEQUES All banks and Forex Bureaux accept Travelers Cheques although the rate of exchange may be slightly lower than for cash transaction. CREDIT CARDS The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa and MasterCard. These cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, banks and businesses . Your card may be used for payment at most all airlines, leading hotels and major supermarkets. However be cautious when using your credit to avoid fraud. 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, tour guide, etc. COMMUNICATIONS Most major hotels also have business centres which provide secretarial and courier services. You can make long distance telephone calls within the country. Collect calls to the USA, Europe and Asia are also available. USA direct dial is 019900 and UK is 0194. ENTERTAINMENT Most cities and towns have facilities for night life such as cultural centres to theaters, cinema houses, discotheques, pubs, street cafes and casinos. Consult your guide for what is on and where to go. DRINKING WATER Our tap water is safe; but it is advisable for visitors to use bottled drinking water which is available for sale in hotels and super markets. RESTRICTED AREAS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMING The Christianborg Castle, Osu (i.e seat of Government), High Commissions / Embassies and Military installations. Kotoka International Airport Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is located in Accra. It is the major entry point to the country and is accessible from any part of the globe. KIA also has FAA approval for Category 1 in Safety and Security Oversight. Currently it is served by 22 carriers with over 170 weekly passenger aircraft movements to more than 36 international destinations worldwide. Book cheap flights on CheapOair and save big! Ground Transport: To and From KIA Although most people travel to the airport in their private cars, taxis and hiring cars are available at the airport for travelers convenience. Public Pool Taxi There are other taxi services from point to point at fixed charges per individual passenger. This allows other passengers to join in the same vehicle. You can also charter taxis for your daily use at negotiated rate. One advise to every tourists is that; always keep the Taxis registration number recorded any where you alight, so that when you leave an item in the taxi, it would be easily identified. Car rentals There are car rentals companies registered by the Ghana Tourist Board who offer car hiring services. Click here to hire a Vehicle. Departure Airport departure lounge is located after security control. Facilities include a Duty Free shop, restaurant, bar and a seating area. Ghana Airways has the Akwaaba lounge for its first/business class passengers.State Protocol Lounge is for use by Senior Government Officials/Diplomats and V VIPs. Arrival State Protocol Lounge again available for use by the previously mentioned personnel EMERGENCY CONTACTS Emergency (general) - 999 Fire - 192 Ambulance - 193 Hospitals Korle Bu - 0302-665401, 0302-673033-34 Ridge - 0302-228382 37 Military hospital - 0302-776111-5l SSNIT Hospital - 0302-776787 Tema General Hospital - 0303-302094, 0303-302695 Accra Psychiatric Hospital - 0302-228688 Nyaho Clinic - 027775341 Lister Hospital - +233 302 812 325, +233 302 812 326, +233 244 313 883 Omni Health Services.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:10:05 +0000
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