(Last updated: 12 Feb 2013)
Doing business
Business culture
Business tips
Meetings
Ghanaians generally prefer face-to-face meetings. Make an appointment for a meeting in advance.
Initial meetings are really all about finding out about one another and whether a personality fit allows for future, more business-specific meetings. Expect to spend quite a good deal of time in relationship and rapport building. Do not be surprised if business is not really discussed much at all.
First meetings may also tend to be a little more formal, although once a rapport has been formed this will soon dissipate. It is important to maintain a polite and somewhat reserved demeanour.
Hierarchy is respected so the most senior person is greeted first. He/she may be the spokesperson for the group or may delegate to key stakeholders to speak.
Ghanaians have a keen sense of humour and enjoy telling jokes. However, until you have understood their sense of humour it is best to refrain from telling jokes yourself. If a Ghanaian teases you, take it good-naturedly. For the most part, this shows they are becoming more relaxed with you.
Greetings
Handshakes are the most common means of greeting. It is generally common to wait for a woman to extend her hand first.
Exchange of pleasantries involves taking time to enquire about people’s health, family and jobs. To rush a greeting is considered extremely rude. Remember to maintain eye contact during the greeting.
Titles are important. Address Ghanaians by their academic, professional, or honorific title and their surname and wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. The younger generation tend to do so more rapidly.
Business cards are exchanged and these must be presented or received with the right hand, never with the left.
Communication style
Ghanaians are more indirect communicators often employing a lot of wise sayings, proverbs and euphemisms. This means they take care not to relay information in any way that could cause issues, be it giving someone bad news, turning down an invitation, refusing a request or any other such matter. Ghanaians always want to save their own and others’ face as well as maintain harmonious relationships. In the same vein, they would rather use silence to convey any unpleasant response than give a verbal response.
Punctuality
Ghanaian’s tend to have a very relaxed attitude towards time and will most often do things at whatever pace they deem comfortable. Visitors from cultures with a rigid orientation to time must adopt a more flexible and patient approach to their day when in Ghana.
Links and resources
Government, business and trade
Ghana Investment Promotion Centre – www.gipc.org.gh
Government of Ghana – www.ghana.gov.gh
Ghana Chamber of Commerce & Industry – www.ghanachamber.org
Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning – www.mofep.gov.gh/index.html
Ministry of Trade & Industry – www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=322:ministry-of-trade-and-industry&catid=74:ministries&Itemid=224
Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology – www.bmwi.de/English/Navigation/root.html
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs – www.bma.bund.de
News and media
Business & Financial Times – www.thebftonline.com
Ghanaian Chronicle – www.ghanaian-chronicle.com
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.
Top Business Risks
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the AusNCP website.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a voluntary mechanism which promotes and supports improved governance in resource-rich countries through the full publication and verification of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas, and mining.
The EITI is supported by governments, industry, and non-government organisations around the world. The Australian Government supports the EITI and encourages Australian companies operating internationally to comply with its recommendations.