About Ghana

Ghana is a West African country, bounded on the north by Burkina Faso, on the east by Togo, on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by Côte d'Ivoire. Formerly, it was a British colony known as the Gold Coast and was led to independence by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on the 6th of March, 1957.

Ghana became the first black nation in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve independence from colonial rule. The country is named after the ancient empire of Ghana, from which the ancestors of the present inhabitants are thought to have migrated. Ghana is a democracy, having completed the 3rd successful election cycle for parliament and president most recently in December 2008.

About Axim

Axim is the Capital of the Nzema East District, an area encompassing 2194 square kilometers (9.8 percent of the total area of the Western Region). This relatively poor town has recently become a municipality. The population of greater Axim, including nearby villages is approximately 33,000. There is a small hospital in town, and the economy is based on fishing, subsistence farming, and government services. Axim is near Ivory Coast to the west, and the nearest substantial city, Takoradi, is about a one-hour drive to the east. Recently oil was discovered some 50 miles off the coast of Axim. It remains to be seen what effect that may have on the life and economy of the area.

Travel Visa and Health Information

Visa/Passport

Travel to Ghana by US citizens requires a visa. Visit the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC or view information on how to procure a visa at http://www.GhanaEmbassy.org. Be sure to send a money order, cashier's check or certified bank check made payable to the Embassy of Ghana with your application rather than cash or a personal check.

The US Embassy in Accra, Ghana has a helpful website, including its location, hours of operation, and other information.

The US State Department has information on travel in Ghana, including travel warnings, if any, and other useful information.

Health

Ghana requires its visitors to have a yellow fever inoculation prior to entry. Malaria prophylactic is not required, but malaria is a serious threat throughout Ghana and travelers are advised to guard against it. It is advised to consult a travel clinic at least three months before travel commences. Check the following resources:


Travelers’ Safety Plan Tips (taken in part from Engineers without Borders)

  • Travel only in groups of 2 or more.
  • Discuss objectives for each day prior to breaking off into smaller groups.
  • Drink only bottled water or canned sodas.
  • Lock all passports and valuables and keep money in belt underneath clothing.
  • Carry first aid kit, including rubber gloves in case of accident.
  • Travel only during the day if possible. Night travel in Ghana is dangerous and should not be undertaken except in emergency.
  • Have an in-country meeting place in case team members become separated.
  • Avoid traveling during the rainy season
  • Have an emergency plan and exit strategy.
  • Each team member should considering having insurance that covers injury, evacuation and transportation if needed.
  • Determine whether there are any State Department warnings for this country (see State Department web site above).
  • Have a land-line contact phone number for the travel team.
  • Have a main cell number for the group and also for each project partners in Ghana and ensure that all travellers in your party knows them.
  • Have emergency numbers for US Embassy and if possible a local Ghanaian known to the traveler.

Travel Guide and Local Information Sources

Guidebook

The most complete travel guidebook is Ghana by Philip Briggs. The 4th edition is the most current, published in 2007.

The official website of Ghana Tourism doesn’t work too well, but does contain useful info.

For local information, The US Embassy’s "local links" page is helpful.

General Information and News

For a very helpful compendium of information on Ghana, compiled by Ghanaians, see http://www.GhanaWeb.com

Ghana Review International compiles articles from various news sources on a daily basis.

The Ghana Districts website focuses on info about governments and economics in each of the Ghana districts.

Facts and Figures

The following websites provide good information about Ghana:

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