GETTING TO HOTEL BY YOURSELF (TAXI, BOLT AND UBER)

Here is what to do if you want to get to the hotel by yourself. Taxi services are available 24 hours a day from the Airport to several destinations in Accra and beyond. They don’t have taximeter and the fares are not predetermined. This gives passengers an opportunity to bargain for reduced fares before boarding the vehicle. Accra is a large city, and the price and the ride time (15 to 20 minutes) depend on the distance to the destination area and on congestion of the streets.

Accra is generally a safe city, but there is no doubt that there is crime present so be alert. Avoid walking in dark or quiet places or alone.

AIRPORT PICK-UP INFORMATION

Airport pick-up requires pre-booking of accommodation. With this, drivers from the hotel you will be lodging will pick you up. The hotels are located around the conference venue which is not far from the Airport. It usually takes between 15 to 20 minutes to get to the various hotels from the Airport. The driver will wait for each participant with a placard bearing the conference, hotel or your name.

Ghana is an English-speaking country with several local dialects of which Twi is the most popular as it is commonly understood and easy to learn. The country has sixteen regions.

Accra is the capital of Ghana. The legal tender, or the currency used is Ghana Cedi.

There are four reliable mobile communication networks in the country, and they require pre-registration to activate them. These are MTN, Telecel and AT (AirtelTigo). You may want to connect with people while in Accra and it is important that you purchase a local sim card of any of the mobile network operators for your cell phone. Sim cards and airtime credits are easily available at the Airport and in shops.

Ghana’s code is +233 and Accra’s is 0302. Always ignore the first ‘0’ when dialing a number with Ghana’s code (applies to all networks). Depending on the network, airtime credit ranges between 2 Ghana cedis and over 20 Ghana cedis. Data can also be purchased and bundled from the same companies.

There will be free wireless internet connection at the conference venue. The recommended hotels have internet facilities. Outside of conference hours, it is generally possible to use an internet cafe in the communities around the hotels.

ELECTRIC VOLTAGE

Ghana has two associated plug types, D and G. Plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular pattern and type G is the plug which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern as indicated:

Ghana’s supply voltage is 230V and 50Hz. 

KEEPING HEALTHY IN ACCRA

Make sure to take your anti-malaria vaccine and/or pills before travelling, to avoid malaria. Take the usual precautions for travelers to Ghana. All visitors to Ghana are required to have a valid certificate of immunisation against Yellow Fever (known as “Yellow Card”) and this is checked on arrival at the Airport.

FOREX BUREAU AND MONEY ISSUES

There are a lot of Forex bureaus in Accra. Please change currency at an established Forex Bureau. They are dotted across the city and at the Airport. You may ask at the information desk inside the terminal for advice before you exit or you can also use an international exchange rate portal as a guide. For example, https://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/

The official currency in Ghana is the Ghana Cedi (GHS)

WEATHER

The climate in Accra is generally hot and humid most of the year round. Heavy afternoon downpours are, however, common in the two rainy seasons, from April to July and October. You may need to carry a brolly or an umbrella.

SAFETY TIPS

Ghanaians pride themselves on being some of the friendliest people in the world, and the level of crime against visitors/tourists is remarkably low. However, like any other country, in big cities and metropolis, there are bad nuts, and normal precautions are still advisable.

Participants are advised to be extra careful with precious items and money and keep an eye on them at all times either in the hotel, at the conference venue or at any other place. As much as possible comply with the following precautionary measures:

• Do not leave your luggage unattended.
• Have your passport and other travel documents and extra money safely stored away in a money belt or pocket inside your clothes.
• If possible, convert enough currency to Ghana Cedis for immediate needs in advance so that you do not worry about that on arrival. There are several forex bureaus at the airport.
• Petty crime is common in Accra and foreigners can be key targets. Stay alert and watch out for pick pockets and fraudsters especially around stations, on public transport and around tourist sites.
• Avoid carrying around a lot of cash or other valuables and hang on to your belongings when walking around.
• We suggest you make photocopies of your passport and other documents to enable easy replacement in case they get lost or stolen. Do not carry originals unless you really need them.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

General Emergency Contact Number – 112

Ghana Police Service – 191 / 18555

Ghana National Fire Service – 192

Ghana Ambulance Service – 193

See you soon in Accra, Ghana!