smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Ghana
| Ghana overall | This Advice is current for Wednesday, 19 November 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Tamale municipality, Yendi District and Bimbilla area in northern Ghana | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (elections 7 December 2008) and Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate (wet season). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Ghana will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on 7 December 2008. In the run-up to the elections, tensions may be high and could result in clashes between members of political parties. You should avoid all political rallies, demonstrations and large public gatherings, including football matches, as they may become violent.
Bawku (Upper East region), Tamale municipality, Yendi district and area around Bimbilla in northern Ghana: We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution around Bawku in the Upper East region, the Tamale municipality, Yendi district and the area around Bimbilla in northern Ghana because of the possibility of outbreaks of violence over disputes within or between local ethnic groups.
We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Ghana because of the risk of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Conspicuous travellers, particularly women on their own, are the target of opportunistic crimes such as muggings, bag snatching, petty theft and pickpocketing. Such crimes are not usually associated with violence but there is evidence that this is becoming more common. Armed robberies and other violent crimes, including rape and house invasions, also occur. There have been reports of passengers in taxis being robbed by drivers.
Thefts by individuals posing as airport staff frequently occur at Kotoka International Airport in the capital, Accra. Legitimate airport staff wear a current identification card which bears their name and photograph. Cards without photographs are not valid.
There have been reports of individuals fraudulently posing as police officers and demanding money from foreigners.
Commercial and internet fraud is prevalent and often originates in west African countries. Victims have been defrauded and those who travel to the originating country have had their lives endangered. Some victims have been killed. Criminals have been known to seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas in which to transfer large sums of money (as a donation or for a percentage of the amount involved). They may also provide fake cashier cheques for 'urgent' shipments of large quantities of goods, request sizeable fees for a fake government contract and extort money from individuals they have convinced to travel to Africa for a business opportunity. If you are a victim of a financial scam, we advise you to obtain legal advice and not to travel to Africa to seek restitution as there is a risk of physical assault from the perpetrators. Our information on International Financial Scams provides more detail on these types of scams.
Some Australian citizens have also been defrauded or had their lives endangered by bogus internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes operating from west African countries. These scams typically result from connections made through internet dating schemes or chat rooms. Once a virtual relationship develops, the Australian citizen is asked by their friend or prospective marriage partner to send money to enable travel to Australia. Once the money has been received, the relationship is usually terminated and any chance of recovering the funds is highly unlikely. You should be alert to any correspondence that mentions lawyers, reverends, priests, gold, or hospital bills resulting from accidents or illness. In some instances, foreigners who have travelled to Africa to meet their friend or prospective marriage partner have been kidnapped and held to ransom.
Poor roads and driving practices, poorly maintained vehicles, insufficient street lighting, roaming livestock, pedestrians and cyclists pose safety risks, especially when driving at night and outside urban areas. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Police road blocks are common throughout the country and you may be required to show identity documentation, vehicle registration and ownership papers.
Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Ghana. See our travel advice on shipping and ports for further information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its website.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
The wet season extends from May to October when flooding may occur, particularly in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. If you intend to travel to these regions during the wet season, you should monitor local media and weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. It is difficult to find banks and/or businesses in Ghana which accept credit cards other than VISA. Credit card fraud is common in Ghana. Australian currency is not an accepted means of foreign exchange in Ghana.
The Government of Ghana has introduced new banknotes (Ghana cedi) and coins (Ghana pesewa). 10,000 cedis = 1 Ghana cedi = 100 Ghana pesewas. With effect from January 2008, the old currency has ceased to be legal tender but can be converted at commercial banks or the Bank of Ghana. Travellers should be aware that persons may try to defraud them with the old and new bills. The Government of Ghana has established a website to inform the public about the currency redenomination.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Ghana, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Serious offences, including murder, carry the death sentence.
Penalties for drug offences, including possession, are severe in Ghana and carry mandatory prison sentences.
Homosexual acts are illegal and attract a minimum sentence of 7 years in prison.
Possession of pornographic material is illegal.
Wearing military-style or camouflage clothing is prohibited.
Taking photographs of or near government buildings or other infrastructure, including oilfields, can lead to detention.
Only agents licensed by the Precious Metals and Mining Commission may handle import-export transactions of natural resources such as gold, diamonds and precious metals. Transactions lacking the Commission's endorsement are illegal and/or fraudulent and penalties include imprisonment.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Ghana and you should take care not to offend.
While the government of Ghana recognises dual nationality, officials may place restrictions on the ability of Australian officials to provide consular assistance to Australian/Ghanaian dual nationals if they are detained or arrested.
Australian/Ghanaian dual nationals may be liable for civil/military obligations. Before travel, Australian/Ghanaian dual nationals should check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Ghana.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Ghana for the most up to date information.
A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Ghana.
Ghana is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
If you have visited Ghana in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Although medical facilities in urban areas are better than in rural areas, all facilities are basic and the standard of care available may be below what you would expect in Australia. Up-front payment is usually requested prior to commencing treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with suitable facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could exceed $A100,000.
Malaria and other tropical diseases are common in West African countries, including Ghana. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling, taking prophylaxis against malaria and using an insect repellent. Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, yellow fever, hepatitis, bilharzia and tuberculosis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
In Ghana, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian High Commission
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
Telephone: +233 21 701 2961-3 or +233 21 777 080
Facsimile: +233 21 776 803
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au
Web: www.ghana.embassy.gov.au
If you are travelling to Ghana, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the High Commission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
