Ghana

Recommended Vaccinations For Ghana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Meningitis Vaccine

Vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling in Ghana during the dry season, November to March.

Polio Vaccine

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Recommended Medications For Ghana

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Anti-malaria medication is recommended for travellers going to Ghana. Recommended medications are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Ghana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for hepatitis B virus exposure in Ghana.

Cholera

There is a low risk for cholera, but outbreaks of cholera may occur in Ghana.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Ghana.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever may occur in this country.

For Some Travellers

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Ghana.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Symptoms include fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If not treated, the disease can cause death.

Lassa Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Lassa fever in this country. The disease is caused through breathing in unsafe air, eating contaminated food with droppings of infected rats.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Ghana through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Polio

There is a risk of acquiring Polio in the country and is transmitted from one person to another when droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected person gets into the mouth of another person.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Meningitis

Outbreaks of meningitis may occur in Ghana during the dry season (November to March).

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Ghana. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Ghana, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the entire country.

Zika Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Safety & Security in Ghana

Personal Safety

Ghana has a relatively low crime rate compared to other countries in Africa and most travellers have no safety or security problems in this country. However, street crime and violent crime do occur. High risk areas include large cities such as Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and their surroundings. With respect to your personal safety, be cautious and always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. There have been reports of petty theft, pickpocketing, purse snatching, scams, etc. in tourist areas, markets, and beaches. If possible, travel in groups and avoid travelling at night. The usual travel precautions apply, such as keep two copies of your valuable documents in two separate places, avoid wearing expensive clothing or jewelry and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Luggage and travel documents have been stolen at the Kotoka International Airport. Keep your luggage and documents with you at all time. Be cautious about unsolicited help at the airport, as thefts have occurred by individuals posing as airport staff. Airport personnel wear identification cards showing their name and definitely a photograph. Some reports indicate individuals have posed as police officers and have stolen money from foreigners. Reports also indicate individuals will pose as the traveller’s driver or contact and then attempt to get money from the traveller. If you are being met at the airport, you should confirm the identity of the person sent to meet you.

Ghana cedis cannot be exported, and it is illegal to conduct currency transactions with private citizens.

Same-sex marriage is illegal in Ghana and homosexual activity could result in a prison sentence.

Taking photographs of what could be considered sensitive sites is prohibited, including military sites, bridges, Accra’s international airport and government buildings. To be safe, get permission to take pictures.

It is prohibited to wear military or camouflage-type clothing. Dress conservatively in respect for local customs.

Penalties for possession of illegal drugs and other drug offences are severe in this country. It is illegal to possess pornographic material and to smoke in public.

The incidence of road accidents is high in Ghana. Road travel may be dangerous due to poor road conditions, lack of road lighting and signage and reckless driving. Exercise extreme caution in rural areas where roads may be unpaved. Do not travel at night due to the high risk of robberies and carjackings. Avoid taking taxis or privately owned minibuses (‘tro-tros’).

Always stay with a guide when entering wildlife reserves. Seek the advise of local authorities if wanting to swim at a beach; strong currents may make swimming dangerous.

Traveller should note that electricity and water shortages could occur, especially during the dry season (November-March).

Travellers with respiratory concerns should note that from December to March, the Harmattan (sand and dust filled winds) blow from the Sahara and may present a risk to the traveller’s health.

Flooding during the rainy season (March-November) can cause severe infrastructure damage and even loss of life.

Extreme Violence

There are often chieftaincy disputes and political tensions active in the country. These issues sometimes lead to localized violence and unrest. While possible throughout Ghana, these conflicts most commonly occur in the Upper East, Upper West and Volta regions. Violent crime targeting tourists are often reported along the Accra–Tema and Accra–Kumasi–Tamale highways.

Political Unrest

Protests and demonstrations do occur in major cities in Ghana. Sitata reminds travellers to minimize risk by avoiding large public gatherings and demonstrations due to unpredictability of these situations. Monitor local news for reports of roadblocks or curfews, etc.

Areas To Avoid

Due to an unstable situation between local ethnic groups, there is a risk of violence in the following areas in northern Ghana: Bimbilla, Bawku, Yendi and Tamale municipality. Curfews may be imposed in these areas. There is also a high risk of attacks in the border areas of north in the vicinity of Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and particularly Burkina Faso.