One the things that could absolutely ruin your trip to Ghana would be forgetting your passport, and not having all the necessary documents for entry to Ghana like the Yellow Fever Vaccination card, and entry visa.
Here are the requirements for entry to Ghana from the Official Government of Ghana website:
1. Travel Documents
All persons entering Ghana must be in possession of a valid passport or Travel Documents establishing the identity of the holder.
Travel Documents include Laisser-Passer and other travel documents issued by International Agencies recognised by the Government of Ghana.
These are:1. ECOWAS
2. United Nations and its specialized agencies
3. The World Bank
4. African Development Bank, etc.Where there is doubt, it should be cleared with the Ghana Immigration Service headquarters or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Accra.
2. Entry Visas
1. All foreigners entering Ghana, unless covered by para 3(1) require Entry Visas. Entry Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in Ghana and may be obtained from a Ghana Embassy, High Commission or Consulate abroad.
Where Ghana has no Consular or Diplomatic representation, an application for Entry Visa may be made to the nearest Diplomatic Mission or Consulate authorised by the Government of Ghana to act on its behalf .
2. ii. Ghana Entry Visa may be issued on arrival if the Director of Immigration has prior notification from travellers or their sponsors.
Applications must be made to:Director Of Immigration
Ghana Immigration Service
Private Mail Bag
Ministries Post Office-Accra
Tel: 00233-21-221667 / 225321 / 224445
Fax 00233-21-226996
GHANA IMMIGRATION SERVICE ONLINE3. Exemptions
The following categories are exempted from obtaining entry visas to Ghana
a. Citizens Of Ecowas Countries
Nigeria
Benin
Mauritania
Niger
Gambia
Senegal
Guinea
Sierra Leone
Guinea Bissau
Togo
Cote D’ivoire
Burkina Faso
Liberia
Cape Verde
Malib. Nationals of Kenya, Malaysia And Singapore
Holders Of German And Cuban Diplomatic/Service Passports
c. Persons in direct airside transit.
4. Referals (for British Diplomatic Missions and Consulates)
I. Entry Visas may be issued in accordance with the Visa Regime to the following categories of persons without reference to Accra.
1. Members of Diplomatic and Foreign Consular officers “de carriere” travelling to or through Ghana on official business
2. Persons in transit in Ghana who wish to break their journey in Ghana for period not exceeding 48 hours provided they are in possession of visas and onward tickets to their destination beyond Ghana and are not stateless personsii. Where Visas are issued without reference, details and two photographs of the persons to whom they have been issued must be forwarded to the Director of Immigration,
iii. All applications for Visas except in category 4 (I) above must be cleared with the Director of Immigration.
Referred applications should be accompanied by two recent photographs of applicant and should be forwarded by mail with statement of action taken.
Reply to referred cases will be sent by fax where applicable.
Whenever application for visas are referred, a report of local security clearance and any other relevant information must be accompanied.iv. Visas may be obtained at the point of entry in Ghana by investors or tour operators. Prior approval for visa on arrival may be obtained from the Director of Immigration through fax or e-mail.
5. Refusal
Visa to the following category of persons should generally be refused.
1. Prohibited Immigrants
2. A person without visible means of support
3. An undesirable person
4. Any mentally handicapped person
5. On the advice of the health authorities6. Immigration notice
Intending travellers must note that the possession of the appropriate documents does not confer a right of entry. Travellers may be refused entry into Ghana if they fall within the category of prohibited Immigrant and if they do not satisfy Immigration requirements at the point of entry.
The Government of Ghana will not be financially liable for their repatriation.7. Immigration Regulations
Immigrant Quota:
Persons who enter Ghana ostensibly as visitors may not be permitted to take employment.
No person shall be permitted to accept employment or undertake an occupation for reward in Ghana unless such employment is within the authorised Immigrant quota (an Immigrant quota being the number of non-Ghanaians that a person or firm can employ). An application for
Immigrant Quota must be made to:The Secretary
Immigrant Quota Committee
Ministry Of The Interior
P.O. Box M. 42
AccraAn approval for Immigrant Quota for a foreign employee must be obtained before he proceeds to Ghana.
8. Investors
Investors to Ghana must register with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
Application for the extension of visa or automatic quota must be accompanied by a supporting letter from the GIPC confirming the status of the Investor.9 Mining
Investors into the Mining Sector in Ghana must register with the Minerals Commission as approved Mining Services Company. Application for the extension of visa or Immigrant Quota must be accompanied by a supporting letter from the Minerals Commission confirming their status.
10. Professionals
It is an offence for foreign doctors, dentists, lawyers, pharmacists and other professionals to practice their profession in Ghana unless they have registered their profession in accordance with the profession of the respective ordinances.
All professionals wishing to enter Ghana to practice one of the professions are required before visas are issued to provide particulars of their qualifications in order that their eligibility for registration may be determined.11. Prohibited Immigrants
Any person falling within the following categories.
1. There is a deportation order in force – Part II ACT 160/63
2. A destitute or person with no visible means of support
3. A person of unsound mind
4. A person declared by the Minister, or by Executive Instrument to be a person whose entry into Ghana would not be conducive to public good.
5. A person against whom there is an extradition crime in force within the meaning of the Extradition Act, Act 22/60.12. Fees
Some amount of money is charged for Entry Visas
So remember unless you meet one of the exemptions you need the following three things to enter Ghana:
Passport
Entry Visa
Yellow Fever Immunization card
If all of this is a little confusing for you we would be happy to help you out with the formalities if you are a US citizen, this is one of the services that we can provide for you, feel free to contact us at any time.
If you need more guidance on what to pack you can also check out this blog here.
You will also need an entry visa to travel to any of the surrounding countries like the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo. As not to waste your valuable travel time it is recommended that you get these before leaving home, but there are consulates in Accra where they can be had along with most border crossings.
