A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 192.
Call 193 or go to the hospital.
Call 191 or go to the nearest police station.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Ghana overall.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Exercise a high degree of caution along the northern border with Burkina Faso.
Exercise a high degree of caution along the northern border with Burkina Faso due to the deteriorating security situation, and the possibility of cross-border incidents.
See Safety
Large public events and intercommunity disputes can turn violent. Avoid demonstrations and protests. Be cautious around large crowds, like football matches.
Travellers are a target for crime, including kidnapping and robbery. Security risks increase if you're a solo woman. Take particular care in and around Accra.
Internet scams often originate in West African countries. Criminals may ask for details of safe bank accounts to transfer large amounts of money. Criminals often meet their victims through internet dating sites or chat rooms. Be wary of online contact from people you don't know. Don't send money until you've checked who you're sending it to. Don't travel to Ghana to get your money back or to get revenge.
Power outages may occur after dark. This often leads to more crime, especially if street and traffic lights fail.
Thieves may pose as police officers or airport staff. Legitimate airport staff wear a current ID card with their name and photograph.
Full travel advice: Safety
Yellow fever, malaria and other insect-borne diseases are common. Make sure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
HIV/AIDS is common in Ghana. Take precautions if you're engaging in high-risk activities.
Common waterborne, foodborne, and other infectious diseases include cholera, hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, bilharzia (schistomiasis) and tuberculosis. Boil drinking water or drink bottled water. Avoid ice cubes, and raw and undercooked food. Don't swim in fresh water.
Medical facilities are basic in urban areas and limited in rural areas. The standard of care may be less than what you would expect in Australia. If you're seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated.
Full travel advice: Health
Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include mandatory jail terms.
The death penalty can apply for serious offences, such as murder.
Same-sex relations are illegal. Avoid open displays of affection, especially in rural areas. Other activities that are legal in Australia are illegal in Ghana.
Ghana recognises dual nationality. Always travel on your Australian passport.
Full travel advice: Local laws
You need a visa to travel to Ghana. If you're staying for more than 90 days in 12 months, you must register for a National Identification Authority Non-citizen Ghanacard. Contact an embassy or high commission of Ghana for advice.
You need to show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Ghana. You may also need to show it when you leave.
You can't exchange Australian dollars in Ghana. However, you can easily exchange US dollars and euros for GHS at commercial banks and exchange services.
Road safety and driving in Ghana can be dangerous. Police roadblocks are common. Carry photo ID, vehicle registration and ownership papers. Be alert to hazards, especially at night.
Ferry travel is risky due to low safety standards and adverse weather. Always wear a life jacket.
Only use registered taxis and limousines. If you can, arrange these through your hotel. Don't use taxis hailed on the street, rideshares or public transport due to safety and security concerns.
Full travel advice: Travel
The Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian High Commission, Accra.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Be cautious around large public gatherings like football matches.
Disputes involving local ethnic groups can also turn violent.
When you're in Ghana:
avoid protests, rallies and demonstrations
if you encounter a protest or unrest, leave if it's safe to do so
monitor the media for reports of unrest, and avoid those areas
follow the advice of local authorities
More information:
Criminals increasingly target Westerners, especially women, for violent crime. This includes kidnapping.
In June 2019, two foreigners were kidnapped in Kumasi.
To protect yourself from kidnapping:
be particularly alert at night
vary travel routes and times, particularly your usual running and walking routes
Travellers are a target for:
mugging
bag snatching
petty theft
pickpocketing
Your risk increases if you're a woman travelling alone. Take particular care in and around Accra.
Some taxi passengers have been robbed by drivers.
In April 2019, a foreigner was robbed at gunpoint while using a rideshare service (Uber) in Accra.
Power outages may occur after dark. This often leads to more crime, especially if street and traffic lights fail.
Criminals may also target you in:
house invasions
armed robbery (including in a taxi)
other violent crimes
Thieves may pose as:
police officers, to demand money from you
airport staff at Kotoka International Airport in Accra
Legitimate airport staff wear a current ID card with their name and photograph.
To protect yourself from crime:
only use registered taxis or limousines, arrange these through your hotel.
don't use rideshares, taxis hailed on the street or other public transport
don't walk alone, particularly in the evening and at night
avoid travelling alone, especially if you're a woman
keep your car windows up and doors locked, even when moving
be alert when approaching traffic lights
lock your accommodation, including when you're in it
Internet scams come in many forms, including romance, friendship, business and employment opportunities. These scams often originate in West African countries.
If you travel to West Africa as a scam victim, you are at risk of:
financial loss
robbery
murder
This includes travelling to meet a friend or love interest, as well as looking for compensation or revenge.
Common fraud schemes fall into two main categories — commercial and relationship scams.
In commercial scams, criminals ask for details of 'safe' bank accounts to transfer large amounts of money. They may:
promise a percentage of this amount to you
send fake cashier cheques for urgent goods shipments
request large fees for a fake government contract
extort money from you for a bogus business opportunity
In relationship scams, criminals often meet their victims through internet dating sites, chat rooms or social media. Once they have formed a connection, they may:
ask you to send money so they can come to Australia
ask you to come to Africa to meet them
Once you transfer money, the relationship often ends. If you travel to Africa to meet the criminals, you may be in danger.
To protect yourself from scams:
be wary of online contact from people you don't know
don't send money to anyone until you've thoroughly checked them
If you suspect a scam, get legal advice.
Don't travel to Ghana to get your money back or to get revenge. You could be in danger.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide. This includes in Ghana.
To protect yourself from being involved in a terrorist attack:
be alert to possible threats, especially in public places
report any suspicious activity or items to police
monitor the media for possible threats
take official warnings seriously
follow the advice of local authorities
More information:
Ghana experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including flooding.
If there's a natural disaster or severe weather:
follow the advice of local authorities
secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
keep in contact friends and family
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System for alerts.
The wet season is from May to October.
Flooding may happen in the:
Northern region
Upper East region
Upper West region
Roads can shut quickly, stranding travellers.
If you travel during the wet season or after a natural disaster, check if services at your planned destination have been affected.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away.
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need.
Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.
More information:
International travel and health (World Health Organization)
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Ghana. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
what the medication is, including its generic name
how much you'll take
that it's for personal use.
More information:
Yellow fever (Department of Health) is common in Ghana. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Malaria (World Health Organization) and other insect-borne diseases are also common.
To protect yourself from disease:
make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothes
consider taking medicine to prevent malaria
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization) is common in Ghana. Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.
Common waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases include these listed by the World Health Organization:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
avoid ice cubes
avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
don't swim in fresh water
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
Medical facilities in urban areas are basic.
In rural areas, facilities are limited. The standard of care may be less than what you would expect in Australia.
You may need to pay cash upfront before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.
If you're seriously ill or injured, you may need evacuation to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. This includes mandatory jail terms.
More information:
The death penalty can apply for serious offences, such as murder.
Same-sex relationships are illegal. Avoid open displays of affection, especially in rural areas.
It's also illegal to:
carry pornographic material
wear military style or camouflage clothes
take photos near government buildings or infrastructure, such as oil fields
import or export natural resources such as gold, diamonds and precious metals without a licence from the Precious Metals and Mining Commission
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Ghana recognises dual nationality.
Always travel on your Australian passport.
Travelling on your Ghanaian passport may affect your rights and responsibilities, including:
civil service
military service
access to Australian consular services if you're arrested or detained.
Check with the High Commission of Ghana before you travel.
You can get a dual nationality card from the Ghana Ministry of Interior.
More information:
Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative.
Check with locals. Take care to not offend.
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
You'll need a visa to travel to Ghana.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an embassy or high commission of Ghana for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Ghana. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever (Department of Health).
More information:
Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB) (World Health Organization)
If you'll stay in Ghana for more than 90 days in a year, you must register for a National Identification Authority Non-citizen Ghanacard. You'll need this for ID checks on some transactions.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than six months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
The local currency is the Ghanaian Cedi (GHS).
Declare all GHS or other currency when you arrive in Ghana. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
You can't exchange Australian dollars in Ghana. However, you can easily exchange US dollars and euros for GHS at commercial banks and exchange services.
Larger towns have ATMs. Banks and businesses may not accept credit cards other than Visa.
Credit card fraud is common.
To ensure your access to money:
always keep an eye on your credit card, even when you're using it
contact your bank to make sure your cards will work
You can drive in Ghana for 12 months with:
a valid Australian driver's licence
an International Driving Permit (IDP)
You must be over 18 years old.
After 12 months, you'll need a local licence.
More information:
Road safety and driving in Ghana can be dangerous, due to:
poorly maintained roads and vehicles
aggressive driving
poor street lighting
roaming animals
pedestrians and cyclists
These risks increase at night and in rural areas.
Police roadblocks are common. You may need to show:
identity documents
vehicle registration
ownership papers
During the wet season, flooding can make roads impassable.
Crowds can quickly gather at the scene of traffic accidents and become aggressive.
To stay safe on the road:
understand local traffic laws and practices
carry photo ID, vehicle registration and ownership papers
be alert to hazards, especially at night
get local advice on road conditions, especially during the wet season
always keep car windows up, doors locked and valuables out of sight
be wary of people who may try to stop your vehicle
If you're in an accident, go to the nearest police station.
Your travel insurance policy may not cover you for accidents while driving a motorbike or quad bike. Check before you drive.
Always wear a helmet.
Only use registered taxis and limousines. If you can, arrange these through your hotel.
There are security risks with using unregistered taxis and rideshare services.
Take care when travelling alone at night. See Safety
Public transport is limited.
Safety and maintenance standards can be unreliable.
There are security risks with using public transport. See Safety
Ferry travel is risky due to generally low safety standards and adverse weather.
There may be too many passengers and not enough life jackets. Always wear a life jacket, even if others don't.
Pirates operate in the coastal areas of Ghana. Check piracy reports with the International Maritime Bureau.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Ghana's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider
employer
airline.
Call 192.
Call 193 or go to the hospital.
Call 191 or go to the nearest police station.
Other numbers for the police are:
(0302) 77 36 95
(0302) 77 39 06
(0302) 78 73 73
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
Phone: (+233) 302 216 400
Fax: (+233) 302 216 410
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au
Website: ghana.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission, Ghana
Twitter: @AusAmbGHA
See the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
+61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.