(Last updated: 12 Feb 2013)
Visiting
Business hours
Most businesses and offices open from 8.00am to 5.00pm with a lunch break at about 1.00pm.
Most banks or financial institutions open from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Business is conducted from Monday to Friday with some banks offering banking services on Saturdays.
Government agencies close at 4.00pm.
Public holidays
January 1 – New Year's Day
March 6 – Independence Day
April 2 – Good Friday
April 5 – Easter Monday
May 1 – Labour Day
May 25 – Africa Day
July 1 – Republic Day
September 10-11 – Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan)
November 16-17 – Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
December 3 – National Farmers' Day
December 25-26 – Christmas
December 31 – Revolution Day
Climate
Ghana has a tropical climate. The temperature is generally between 21-32 °C. There are two rainy seasons, from March to July and from September to October, separated by a short cool dry season in August and a relatively long dry season in south from mid-October to March.
The north is dry and falls partly within the Sahelian zone. Annual rain fall in the south averages 2,030mm, but varies greatly throughout the country, with the heaviest rainfall in the south–western part.
For weather details in Ghana, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
The official currency of Ghana is the Ghana cedi (¢).
Time zones and time differences
Ghana is eight hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.
To find out the current time in Accra, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
Ghana's country code is +233.
For calls to Ghana from Australia dial: 0011 + 233 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from Ghana to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
Hydroelectricity is the primary source of Ghana's power. Ghana's current hydroelectric capacity of 1.072 GW is located at Akosombo (912 MW) and Kpong (160 MW). The Ghanaian government is considering additional hydroelectric projects to be built on a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) financing scheme. The $700 million, Bui hydroelectric project would be located on the Black Volta. The Bui project would have a generation capacity of 400 MW. In addition to increasing the domestic electricity supply, power generated from Bui could be exported to Burkina Faso, Mali and Cote d'Ivoire. A second BOT facility, located on the Pra River, would have a total generating capacity of 125 MW. Recent low rainfall has forced power cuts from Ghana's hydroelectric facilities, similar to the power shortages experienced in 1997/1998.
The lack of clean drinking water and sanitation systems is a severe public health concern in Ghana, contributing to 70 per cent of diseases in the country. Consequently, households without access to clean water are forced to use less reliable and hygienic sources, and often pay more in costs.
It is therefore advisable to carry along bottled water, which is safer and more hygienic for consumption.
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.