How To Have A Nice Vacation In Ghana?

It depends on what you want to do there.

Hi vinna,i dont mind going wit u. Pls,i'm interested.

Hi people.

I'm in Ghana. Accra to be precise. I normally tell people to try visising Calabar (Obudu Ranch), Yankari Game Reserve, Zoological Garden in Ibadan (UI), Olumo Rock at Abeokuta, Oguta Lake in Imo, Kainji Dam, Abuja. There are a lot of place to disappear peacefully with nature in Naija.

But if you insist, maybe the following info might help.

9jarian Coming to Ghana.

By Road

ABC, Cross Country (Yaba), EFex (Yaba), The Young, Chisco (Festac) all come to Ghana(daily). Find out from their office about their schedules.
It should be around 15 - 18 thousand for two tickets (to and fro). They last time though I came to Ghana by road, they squeeze out 13k for a single ticket. It was after Christmas. I was returning back to work in Ghana. Don't ask where I work, that's not relevant.  

Alternatively, you can dash to Mile 2 (festac side) or Agege (I don't know the exact location) and get those private cars that ply the Lagos Accra route ferry you. It's cheaper, but less convenient. Avoid one chance, enter the car park and be sure 'he is one of the good guys.' I have used this option many times. Apart from the discomfort of squeezing between two people at the back. I had no other major concern

If you choose to come by road, prepare to spend the whole day on the road. If you leave Lagos by 7.30am, you will get to Ghana around 5 - 6pm plus. Adjust your watch backward by one hour for timezone correction.

Passport Matters

There are two options  (1) with passport or (2)without passport. You will pay more money if you dont have a passport. (Nigerian or Ecowas)
You will also pay more more if your passport is virgin (i.e never been stamped) .

With ABC, Cross Country, and co, you will submit your passports or 'Naira substitute' to the bus operators in their office. They will take care of the stamping (or settling as case the  may be). They will only call your attention if they have problems, especially with our overzealous Immigration, and NDLEA officials. Or if there are things about your passport only you can explain to the official. Frankly speaking, it far less stressful to travel without (stamping) passport - just my opinion.

With the private cars (Mile Two or Agege axis) The driver will tell/show you how to cross the borders. You may chose to stamp your passports or cross with Okada (if you don't have). I'm sure the Okada rider will 'settle' immigration from the 500 Naira you pay for the crossing.  Remember, if you stamp into a country, you must stamp out. If you don't stamp in, don't stamp out.

For those with passport, you should carry a yellow card (immunization card.) Try and get one, or you may be made to sqeeze of more Naira.


Flight

Then again you can fly. From Abuja (Virgin), from Lagos Aero Contractors, and Arik. With Virgin, its around 45 mins flight from Lagos. I'm not sure how long it is from Abuja. And I have not used the other airlines.

N.B: You CANNOT board international flight without passport. You cannot 'settle' this one. 


Akwaaba Ghana! (Welcome to Ghana)

Don't change your money at the Airport - they will cheat you! By giving you low rate. You should go to a place called Tudu. That's where I normally change my money (Naira or Dollars to Cedis). Their rates are competitive.

For those coming by road, Lakonji (?) is the best place to change money. Lakonji  (spelling is not correct) is the border between Benin and Togo. They usually have good rate. The other best place is Tudu. The difference is marginal.


Hotels and Accommodation

Accra is a city of around 5 million people, well planned, and serene, with lots of greenery.

Hotels prices varies from  (+ or -) GHC 40 (per nite) to $250 per nite.
The last time I check Ghc 40 is around 4200 or so. As for the dollars, I'm sure you'll know better.
So the cost of hotel accommodation is a function of your pocket size.

Transport
You would not have the luxury of Okada, so for forget it! Your best bet to move around the city is by cabs. A short trip is 2-3 GHC.
My advice for tourists is to negotiate for hourly rounds. Pay for an hour or two and make your rounds. An hour round with Taxis
is around Ghc10 plus or minus. Don't worry most of the taxis are neat and convenient. The drivers are mostly genuine, but they say
'trust God, but lock your doors'. So don't be naive as to lower your guards totally. They are humans like us!

Place of Interest
For the places you can visit. If you are spending a weekend. There are two options.
1. Lagosians (mainlanders especially, and few Islanders)
2. Abuja dwellers

Lagosian.
If you fall in category one, Lagosians. You best bet is to ask the driver to take you round the City. You'll probably be thrill by the city (and rant and rave about Nigerian government in anger) Before your one hour elapses, let the taxi take you to the beach. Labadi beach, is the closest and more popular (more like bar beach). If you have enough time (its around 1hr plus or minus to get there) you may prefer to go to Bojo beach (a little more exotic). Accra beaches are not free. Be ready to cough out 3-5 Ghc.  

Abuja Dwellers
Well, I learnt Abuja is where the pipelines ( http://extramantra.blogspot.com/2009/08/pipelines.html ) were emptying all their goodies. Until MEND and Co. ran amok. Sorry about the link, it's a little advert.  

Abuja dwellers will probably twist their nose at Accra and say (So this all about the so called Accra, Ghana nonsense!) Abuja is by far lovelier than Accra, sorry to bust your bubbles. So for the Abuja folks to enjoy their visit to Ghana, they may have to make the early morning 2hr.30minstrip to Akosombo, and catch a Ferry to some Island (Sorry I haven't been there myself) still planning (or maybe cos I grew up Lagos main-lander - category one.   ).

Not interested in the Dam, maybe because of the proximity of Kainji to Abuja?
Then you may want to go to Kakum Park. It's still another 2 1/2 hours drive.

But, then are eateries, bars, and nite clubs around accra, if those tickle your fancy. Night life is although been curtail for security reason.

More Info Needed?

I live in Accra, but I cannot guarantee, that I will be available to meet any of you should you decide to come. I'm quite a private person, besides I have day work, which sometimes requires my presence at the weekend.

But you may mail me, at pen_down@yahoo.com

Hope this helps.

Take care.


ATTENTION. VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE! 
Money Matters

UBA, Zenith Bank, GT Bank,   Intercontinental, and Access Bank, are all in Ghana, BUT you must bring all the  CASH or carry a VISA card. Don't come and flaunt your ATM cards at their ATM, it wont work! You cannot withdraw cash from your Nigerian Bank Account from any on these bank in Ghana. Bring all the cash you need.





N.B. Use the complex arithmetic to covert your Naira to GhC
(Naira amount * 95) /10,000
i.e  (4,200 * 95 ) / 10,000  = 39.999999 GhC
 
 

i'll like to visit ghana soon,but i dont av a passport can any one advice me on the coolest road transport coy to use, cos i wiil like to go by road.

emeka@gh,thanks 4 your educative post,nay god bless u so much,i will contact u when i want 2 come 2 ghana.i luv u 4 your incisive and detailed post.

There is no way you can compare Nigeria with Ghana and Ghanians - the country and the people is better than Nigeria and Nigerians - well behaved, cool headed, no cheating, no smartness, driving is cool, they obey traffic lights, good roads, they obey speed limits, they are orderly, everything just the opposite of what you will get in Nigeria - in Accra, see white people everywhere, you can see freedom in the air, noone molests anyone, even the white tourists enter the same bus transportation with the ghana people to travel around - how can that happen in Nigeria - they will kidnap them - honestly, I thank God for the life of Ghanians.

the grass is always greener at the other side 

Q,

wetin dey do your line,  i dey try am i no fit get thru

u guys seem to be doin well but let essien/drog leave for nations cup

do you see my gunners performing?

well i just came back from a trip to ghana with my final year medical students colleagues ghana iitself is not bad but we had terrible experiencs at all borders except ghana we wer e hsred by nigerian ambassador to ghana Obanikoro and he said we should put our complain formally to the ministry of foreign affairs `ECOWAS secretariat in abuja our embassies in togo benin and ghana  on my way back it got so bad that three graduating doctors were beaten and electrocuted at the benein border before they werw arrested and locked in a police station all because they did not want to part with bribe cause they ave collectd all the valid pass and registration from all these embassies in nigeria b4 leavin . we ave taken it upon ourselves to start the campagn for a safe and hassles free borders in west africa and i implore people to join this cause anyway they can . pls its bad for us to talk about giving bribe as if its normal pls lets try and change this thing

@
Emeka_gh

Man you should start a travel agency. That was priceless information about Ghana you put out there. And you took your time to type it all for fellow nairalanders!! Really priceless.

ECO BANK NIGERIA ATM works in GHANA,

If you are using the private cars (mile two, agege connection)
Nigeria-Benin border (seme)  is the easiest to cross without 'passport.' That is via Okada. But to stamp passport, you will pay. The Nigerian officials are smart, they will come up with some excuses like yellow card or something. They will 'beg' you for 'something' if your document are ok. That's will be at your discretion. Be careful with border touts. They will re-direct you to a wrong direction, where there uniformed collaborator will obtain you for frivolous reason. And the tout will still pester you to pay for 'service' rendered.

From my experience, the easiest border to cross is the Benin-Togo border. Even if all your documents are correct, valid, and up to date. You will 'settle' especially at Togo-Ghana border.

You can bravado the Nigerian or Ghanaian officials if your papers are complete and accurate (and passport is not virgin). But the Togolese, and Beninese  are worse.  Ceteris paribus (all other things been equal), they won't stamp your passport unless you pay!

My worst experience happened the Togolese side of the Ghana-Togo border (Aflao).I was on my way to Lagos (using the Tudu private cars - Ghana's mile two agege equivalent).  I have cleared immigration at ghana and togo border. I did not pay a dime at the Ghana side of the border (documents ok). I paid close to 2 CFA at the Togo immigration desks (with same valid document).

Then a tout approached me. He wanted to show me direction. I told him I don't need any. He insisted (can you imagine). I sensed danger, but continued going without minding him (since I know my way). The stupid guy then demand money from me (like I owned him), he try to hold my shirt, I deflected his handle. He threaten me by showing a bulge by his hip (gun or whatever it was I didn't know nor cared). This stand off lasted for about 30 secs, people were passing but nobody minded us (it was just me and him). Anyway, in the end I did not pay him a dime. But I was visible shaken and annoyed. Thugs (tout) in Nigeria don't harrass people like that in broad day light, or threaten them like that.

When I told my colleague back at work, he told me next time, if I'm traveling with those private car operator, I should dress very casual. (dirty jeans, shaggy top, and (leather) sandals. Don't stick out, blend! Lesson well learnt ever since.

@ emeka, i think the best way  and for for any body intending to go to Ghana is by going with th the ABC  Bus service because they are very organized than the rest of the  transport service. once u go to the amuwo odofin park just have your  passport( ECOWAS OR NIGERIAN), if its a virgin passport,  you would be required to pay 1500  naira extra, once issued tickets, just come to the park at the appointed time and trust me after them NDLEA  screening,just relax, the bus service would take care of the rest.

so next time u need advise regarding Ghana,just  mail me:minnalive23@gmail.com ,am currently back to lagos but would be going back soon to my adopted  first country.mean while here is a taste of Ghana, pictures from  one of the happening clubs in Ghana lol