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What to Pack & Bring

What to Pack & Bring

Ghana

Seasonal Clothing

Layering stands as a good strategy. During the dry season (November to March), light clothing is suitable for daytime. A Light jacket or sweater may serve a purpose for cooler evenings, especially during the Harmattan period when temperatures may drop after sunset. For the rainy season (April to October), lightweight, quick-drying clothing takes priority.

Rainy Season Essentials

Cultural Dress Code

Ghana generally holds conservative cultural norms regarding dress. Modest attire comes recommended, especially for women. Overly revealing clothing should be avoided. Shoulders and knees remain covered, especially when visiting religious sites or traditional communities. Loose-fitting long skirts, dresses, or trousers make ideal choices.

Specific Attire Guidance

  • Men: Shorts appear acceptable for casual wear, but long trousers preferred for formal settings or religious sites.
  • Religious Sites: Both shoulders and knees should be covered as a sign of respect. Women may find a Scarf helpful for hair covering.
  • Beach/Swim: Standard Swimwear stands acceptable at beaches and hotel pools.

Footwear Selections

Everyday Comfort

Comfortable, open-toed Sandals or flip-flops serve well for everyday wear and casual strolls.

Prioritize comfort and practicality.

City Exploration

For exploring the city, where sidewalks may be uneven, sturdy, Comfortable walking shoes or Sneakers are a requirement.

Navigate varied terrains with ease.

Rainy Season & Evenings

During the rainy season, water-resistant shoes or sandals handling puddles well will assist. For evenings or more upscale dining, dressier sandals or closed-toe shoes appear appropriate.

Adapt to weather and occasion.

Essential Documents

Travel Papers

Collecting and organizing your documents before traveling to Accra is an important step. Carry your original passport along with your valid Ghana visa. These are the main documents for entry and identification.

  • Original passport and valid Ghana visa.
  • Printed and digital copies of travel insurance policy information.
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) and national driving license (if driving).
  • Original Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for entry); keep it readily accessible.
  • Printed and digital copies of all reservations (flights, hotels, tours).
  • List of emergency contact information (family, embassy, local services).
  • Relevant identification cards for potential discounts (student, senior, press), if applicable.
  • Scan and email copies of your passport, visa, flight itinerary, and Yellow Fever certificate to yourself. Keep physical copies separate from your originals. This aids replacement should documents be lost or stolen.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Ghana uses a voltage of 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. The most common plug type is Type G (British 3-pin rectangular plug), but Type D (old British/Indian 3-pin round plug) sometimes appears. A Universal travel adapter stands highly recommended for device compatibility.

Mobile Phone Tips

  • Ensure your phone is unlocked to use a local SIM card.
  • Ghana uses GSM networks, which most modern smartphones can access.
  • SIM cards purchase easily; your passport is needed for registration.

Gadgets for Your Journey

If photography stands as a focus, a versatile camera system aids capture of diverse scenes. A Mirrorless camera often delivers a good balance of quality and portability. Portable chargers and power banks are incredibly useful, even fundamental, due to potential power outages. A High-capacity power bank maintains your connection throughout the day.

Essential Apps

  • Google Maps (download offline maps for use when internet access is limited).
  • Bolt and Uber: Main ride-sharing apps, with convenient and more transparent transportation options.
  • MTN MoMo or Vodafone Cash: Mobile money apps, also aiding local payments.

Data & Digital Security

Backing up Data

Back up important data regularly. Cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox, or a Portable hard drive, deliver secure solutions for photos and digital copies of your documents.

VPN Services

Consider using a VPN for secure browsing. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are reputable options.

Electronics Retailers

For camera and electronics needs, B&H Photo and general Amazon selections are available.

Health & Wellness Items

Travel First Aid Kit

A well-prepared health and wellness kit delivers peace of mind during your travels in Accra. Your destination-specific first aid kit includes several items. Pack any prescribed antimalarial medication and Anti-diarrhea medication like Imodium.

Essential Contents

Prescription & OTC Meds

Carry sufficient supplies of any prescription medications you require for the entire trip, along with a doctor's note or prescription. Pack over-the-counter medications for common issues like colds, flu, allergies, and heartburn. If you anticipate motion sickness (though altitude is not a concern in Accra), appropriate remedies should be carried.

Health Protections

Hygiene & Other Needs

Personal Hygiene

  • Pack personal hygiene essentials that might be difficult to source locally or in specific brands.
  • Hand sanitizer particularly important for hygiene maintenance, especially after handling cash or before eating street food.
  • Consider carrying a small supply of toilet paper for public facilities.

Medication Access

  • Most common items exist locally; however, specific brand-name toiletries might carry a higher cost or be harder to locate.
  • Bringing items from home is an option if they are to your comfort.
  • Over-the-counter medications for common ailments are generally available.

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking & Trekking

For hiking or trekking, a Lightweight daypack is useful for carrying water, snacks, and personal items. Sturdy Hiking shoes offer comfort and support on varied terrains. A reusable water bottle stands as crucial for hydration.

  • Lightweight daypack
  • Sturdy hiking shoes
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Regular comfortable sneakers often suffice for light hikes.

Photography Gear

For photography enthusiasts, extra camera batteries and memory cards are needed to avoid missing important shots. A Lens cleaning kit aids equipment maintenance in dusty conditions.

  • Extra camera batteries
  • Plenty of memory cards
  • Lens cleaning kit
  • A versatile camera system

Beach & Swimming

If beach or swimming activities are on your itinerary, remember to pack swimwear, a Quick-dry towel, and a Beach bag.

  • Swimwear
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Beach bag
  • Sunscreen (high SPF)

Equipment Considerations

Bringing Your Own

  • Bringing your own often results in better quality and hygiene.
  • For light hiking, regular comfortable sneakers often suffice.
  • Eliminates the need for dedicated Hiking boots unless serious treks are planned.
  • Accra experiences typically do not call for unique specialty items beyond standard Travel gear.

Renting Locally

  • Assess the quality and availability of rental equipment at your destination.
  • Some specialized gear like snorkeling equipment may be available for rent at activity sites.
  • Bringing your own generally presents advantages.
  • No widespread need for unique specialty items beyond general travel gear.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security

Beyond the basics, a few miscellaneous items greatly contribute to travel comfort and security in Accra. For long journeys or noisy accommodations, comfort items for transportation, like a Travel neck pillow, Eye mask, and Earplugs, hold immense value.

Protecting Belongings

Eco-Friendly & Local Items

Carry reusable items for minimizing your environmental footprint and for convenience. A reusable water bottle stands as a must-have, making purified water refills and avoiding single-use plastic bottles possible. Ghana moves towards phasing out plastic bags, so a Reusable shopping bag is practical for market visits and general purchases.

Regional Specifics

  • A set of Reusable utensils also comes in handy for street food.
  • Small gifts, like kola nuts or small tokens, serve as a sign of respect when interacting with local communities.
  • Sanitary wipes or Hand sanitizer assist hygiene, especially when eating street food.
  • Specific brand-name toiletries or specialty foods might carry a higher cost or be harder to locate. Bringing these from home is an option if they are to your comfort.

Sustainable Travel

Water Bottle

Carry a reusable bottle to minimize plastic waste.

Shopping Bag

A reusable bag for market visits.

Utensil Set

Reusable utensils for street food.

Hand Sanitizer

Essential for on-the-go hygiene.

Destination Specific Items

Health Preparedness

  • Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses).
  • Water purification (filter/tablets) for extra safety.
  • Mosquito repellent with DEET/picaridin.

Other Practicalities

  • Universal travel adapter (Type G/D).
  • Portable charger/power bank.
  • Offline maps downloaded on phone.

Packing Pro Tips

Choose darker colors for clothing. The dusty conditions, especially during Harmattan, may cause light-colored clothes to appear dirty quickly.

Consider purchasing clothing items from Amazon or travel bags from Nordace.