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Last Updated:
November 6, 2007 15:51
EST
Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:18 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1 and 2 of this Travel Report have been updated. See our Current Issues page for more information on flooding in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Ghana
You are advised to exercise a high degree of caution in the country. Travellers should maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and avoid public gatherings and street demonstrations. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Armed robberies have increased in and around Accra, Tema, Kumasi, the Upper East and West Regions, but also occur elsewhere. Several foreigners have been victims of theft at gunpoint and knifepoint. Armed attacks have occurred along the Accra-Tema highway and near the Togolese border. You should exercise caution and remain alert to your surroundings. Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and various types of scams are common in crowded markets, in parks, and at beaches and tourist attractions. Do not show signs of affluence. There has been an increase in purse snatching in the Osu area of Accra. Bags and purses should not be exposed. These incidents usually occur on side streets in the evening. The thieves are usually on motorbikes or in cars. Avoid back streets and do not carry large amounts of cash or credit cards, particularly at night. Ensure your personal belongings and your travel documents are secure. You should exercise caution in Osu, Nima, and affluent residential areas of Accra, particularly after dark. Pickpockets are active at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Luggage and travel documents are frequently stolen. Be wary of unsolicited assistance, particularly from uniformed porters or officials at the airport with identification cards that do not bear both a name and photograph, as well as in transit from the airport. The possibility of civil disturbances exists. Clashes between ethnic communities can occur. Curfews may be imposed as a result. Canadians should avoid political rallies and demonstrations, and maintain security awareness at all times. In the event of an emergency, please contact the local police: Headquarters- 021-775765/773906; Accra Region- 021-664612/662290; Tema Region- 022-202936/7; and Ashanti Region- 051-22323 Ghana is a base for commercial fraud schemes. Please see the Annex of the Travel Report for Nigeria for tips on recognizing business scams, brief descriptions of the most common schemes, and contact numbers for further information. Periodic shortages of electricity and city water can occur. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Ghanaian authorities and was valid on November 6, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for the Republic of Ghana and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Ghana. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Tourist Visa: Required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Ghana - ACCRA, High Commission of Canada Address: 42 Independence Avenue, Accra Postal Address: P.O. Box 1639, Accra, Tel.: 233 (21) 21-15-21; 22-85-55 Fax: 233 (21) 21-15-23; 77-37-92 E-Mail: accra@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.accra.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Accra and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Gold, diamonds, and other precious natural resources are subject to strict import and export regulations. Only agents licensed by the Precious Metals and Mining Commission are authorized to handle import-export transactions of these natural resources. Although Ghana recognizes dual nationality, dual nationals are considered Ghanaian citizens and are subject to Ghanaian laws without regard to the other nationality. Possession of pornographic material is illegal. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behavior. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Homosexual activity is illegal and same-sex marriages are not recognized. It is illegal to wear military or camouflage clothing. Photography of sensitive installations, including military sites, government buildings, bridges and Accra's international airport, is prohibited. Ask permission before photographing individuals. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Poor road conditions in rural areas, inadequate lighting, cyclists, pedestrians, roaming livestock, and broken-down and abandoned vehicles pose risks. Traffic accidents are common on the road from Accra to Cape Coast and Kumasi. Travel outside urban areas should be restricted to daylight hours. Police checkpoints are routine, and vehicles and passengers may be subject to inspections. You should always carry copies of identification documents (such as passport and valid visa) and your International Driving Permit (see below). Foreign-registered vehicles may not circulate in Ghana between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Vehicles may be seized for the night and fines imposed for non-compliance. Canadians contemplating overland travel out of Ghana should seek the advice of the High Commission of Canada in Accra (see section 5 above) prior to departure. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. Buses are unreliable and inconvenient. Car rentals are available, but expensive. Taxis are also available, but taxi fares should be agreed before departure. Domestic air travel may be subject to disruptions. Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau. Ghana's currency has been re-denominated, and the new Ghanaian currency is the Credit card fraud in Ghana is on the increase and is now a considerable problem. Although a relatively small number of establishments in Ghana accept credit cards, their use should be very limited and avoided whenever possible. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE The rainy seasons extend from May to July and September to October. Heavy rains and flooding can occur during these periods. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada is following the incidence of meningitis in and around the African meningitis belt. This belt extends from Guinea to Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and western Eritrea in the east. Epidemics most often occur during the dry season (December to June) in this region. Since the mid-1990s, meningitis has occurred on an unprecedented scale and has spread beyond the usual boundaries. Additional information and health recommendations concerning meningitis can be obtained through the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical facilities are inadequate. Physicians and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for medical care. You should carry sufficient supplies of prescription medicine. You should be cautious about water-borne and insect-borne diseases. Do not drink tap water and avoid eating food from street vendors. To avoid risks of mosquito-borne diseases, you should cover up and use mosquito repellent. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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