GENERAL INFORMATION

Ghana is situated in West Africa and is bounded by Burkina Faso, Togo, the Atlantic Ocean and Cote d’Ivoire. A narrow grassy plain stretches inland from the coast, widening in the east, while the south and west are covered by dense rainforest. To the north are forested hills beyond which is dry savannah and open woodland. Ghana’s coastline is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons. The capital, Accra, features the Makola Market, a large and busy open-air market. Kumasi is the historic capital of the Ashanti civilisation, where ruins of the Manhyia Palace and the Royal Mausoleum burnt down by Lord Baden-Powell may be examined. In the northeast, the Boufom Wildlife Sanctuary contains the spectacular Banfabiri Falls. Mole National Park is recommended. Species of antelope, monkeys, lions and elephants can all be seen on guided excursions. Local dishes include traditional soups (palmnut, groundnut), Kontomere and Okro stews that are normally accompanied by fufu (pounded cassava), kenkey or gari. In Accra and other major centres there are nightclubs combining a selection of Western pop music and spectacular Ghanaian music and dancing.

Area Size Of Ghana 238,537 sq km (92,100 sq miles) Population 18,800,000 (2001) Average Population Density 55.5 per sq km Capital Accra Head of State President John Evans Atta Mills International Airport KOTOKA International Airport Time Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is used in Ghana - e.g. Tokyo +9 hours. Language The official language is English. Local Ghanaian languages are widely spoken, including Twi, Fante, Dagbani, Ga and Ewe. Currency Bank of Ghana Religion Ghana is a secular States. Freedom of religion is permitted enshrined in the Constitution of Ghana Independence March 6, 1957 Creation of Republic July 1, 1960 Currency Exchange The Ghanaian Cedi is pegged to the US Dollar. The exchange rate system has been liberalised and foreign currency is freely available through authorised dealers including banks and forex bureaux. Credit Cards Credit Cards are accepted by leading hotels, restaurants, banks and businesses. The most widely accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa. Travellers Cheques All banks and forex bureaux accept Travellers' Cheques. Geography Ghana is situated in West Africa and is a rectangular-shaped country bounded to the north by Burkina Faso, the east by Togo, the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the west by Cote d' Ivoire. A narrow grassy plain stretches inland from the coast, widening in the east, while the south and west are covered by dense rainforest. To the north are forested hills beyond which is dry savannah and open woodland. In the far north is a plateau averaging 500m (1600ft) in height. In the east the Akuapim Togo hills run inland from the coast along the Togo border. The Black and White Volta rivers enter Ghana from Burkina Faso merging into the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Volta. Ghana's coastline is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons. Climate Ghana has a tropical climate, characterized most of the year by moderate temperatures (generally 21-32°C (70-90°F), constant breezes and sunshine. There are 2 rainy seasons, from March to July and from September to October, separated by a short dry season in August and a relatively long dry season in the south from mid-October to March. Annual rainfall in the south averages 2,030mm but varies greatly throughout the country, with the heaviest rainfall in the Western Region and the lowest in the northern Regions. Required Clothing: Tropical lightweight clothing. Sunglasses can be useful. Education There are numerous grammar, secondary, basic, commercial, technical and vocational educational institutions throughout the country as well as universities, numerous specialized tertiary institution, and a functional literacy programme targeting illiterate adults. Ghana is the Headquarters of the West African Examinations Council, which conducts examinations for most of the institutions in the first and second cycles. Electricity Electricity in Ghana is 220-240 volts AC, 50Hz; usually 3-pin plugs. Single phase, 3-pin plugs are used in larger buildings. Older buildings have 2-pin plugs. Light bulbs are of the bayonet type. Electricity fluctuates noticeably and an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is recommended for sensitive electrical equipment, especially computers and printers (although for printers it may be more practical to have a line conditioner). When you purchase a UPS, be sure that it is intended for 50-60mhz. This is particularly true if you plan to run your 100-110volts computer off a transformer. Transformers do not covert cycles, only voltage. Before you plug your expensive UPS into an electrical outlet in Ghana, ensure that the polarity of the outlet or transformer is correct. An incorrectly wired outlet - a common occurrence - will destroy your UPS almost immediately. You can check your outlets with a voltage meter, or have an electrician check all outlets for you. COMMUNICATIONS Telephone: IDD service is available in most parts of the country. Country Code: 233. Outgoing International Code: 001 - International calls can be made by buying a phone card or using a communication center which has an international direct dialing service. Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are widely used. You can buy your own handset or get if from authorised dealers like Mobitel, CellTel, or Spacefon etc. Fax: There is a 24-hour fax service throughout the country. Telegram: Services are available from Post Offices throughout the country. Internet: Internet Providers and Internet Cafes are available throughout the country. Post: Airmail letters, EMS, DHL and other expedited mail services are available. Press: Daily/Weekly newspapers are in English and include The Ghanaian Times, Daily Graphic, Business Weekly, The Mirror, Weekly Spectator, The Pioneer, Chronicle, Statesman, The Democrat, Free Press etc.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS NEW YEAR'S DAY January 1 EID-IL-FITR Muslim Calendar (date not fixed) INDEPENDENCE DAY March 6 EID-UL-ADHA Muslim Calendar (date not fixed) GOOD FRIDAY Christian Calendar (date not fixed) EASTER MONDAY Christian Calendar (date not fixed) WORKER'S DAY May 1 OAU DAY May 25 REPUBLIC DAY July 1 FARMER'S DAY December (First Friday in December) CHRISTMAS DAY December 25 BOXING DAY December 26