Ghana is currently a very safe, stable country with relatively low crime levels compared to other West African countries. Take sensible precautions but be assured it is quite safe.
Bywel's bar in Osu is a frequent hangout of expats on Thursday nights meaning that it is target for muggings. Be sure to leave in a large group and enter a taxi immediately upon exiting the bar.
Do be aware that both female and male homosexuality is illegal.
Cases have also been reported of people snatching mobile phones in the streets. Avoid using your mobile phone out in the open if you do not absolutely need to. You may run the risk of having someone snatch it from you.
Be aware that chloroquine-resistant malaria is widespread and you must take sufficient malaria protection including mosquito avoidance, mosquito repellants, and chemical prophylaxis. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into the country.
It is strongly urged that a traveler request vaccinations against Hepatitis A & B, Cholera and Typhoid fever if they are planning to travel within the country.
There is a very high risk of meningitis in the northern third of Ghana which is a part of the Meningitis belt of Africa. This applies especially during the dry windy periods from December to June. A polysaccharide vaccine is available for Meningitis types A, C, Y and W135.
Although the AIDS/HIV rate is lower than other sub-Saharan African countries, do not have unprotected sex! Also you should avoid contact with still freshwater as there is a risk of schistosomiasis.
Some restaurants will approach European health standards, but be prepared to pay for this. Smaller restaurants, often called "chop bars," will likely not meet these standards.
Because of the tropical climate near the coast, travelers will need to stay hydrated. Bottled water is available everywhere. Voltic Water has been a reliable brand over the years, but do check to make sure the seal has not been broken.
For the latest traveler's health information pertaining to Ghana, including advisories and recommendations, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention destination Ghana website (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/trav...).
contact
Telephone and postal services can be unreliable within Ghana itself but international post, at least to and from Accra is reasonably reliable approx a week either way to the UK for example. Ghana Telecom now majority owned by and rebranded Vodafone is the most widespread phone company, but is not yet entirely reliable or widespread. There are 4 mobile phone networks, with another imminently launching. Many of these networks have 3G/HSPA coverage, and there has been a corresponding boom in internet access via USB sticks expect to pay around 60 cedis for a stick with a 2GB allowance. Coverage is good in the urban areas, and is increasing in the rural areas and along major highways.
With a recent ICT boom in the country's urban areas, you're never too far away from an internet cafe where one hour of internet access should cost GHâµ0.50 to GHâµ1.00. Many hotels also boast broadband access via wireless hotspots.