What to Expect When Visiting Ghana – A Guide for First-Time Travelers

Planning a trip to Ghana? Get ready for an unforgettable journey filled with culture, kindness, and color. Whether you’re visiting to reconnect with family, explore your heritage, or experience West African life for the first time, Ghana offers a beautiful mix of tradition, modern life, and hospitality. Here’s what to expect when visiting Ghana:

1. A Warm Welcome Wherever You Go
Ghanaians are known for their friendliness and welcoming spirit. You’ll often be greeted with smiles and phrases like “Akwaaba!” (Welcome) or “Ete sɛn?” (How are you?) in Twi. Hospitality is a core value in Ghana, and visitors are generally treated with generosity and kindness. Don’t be surprised if strangers engage you in conversation or invite you to share a meal—these interactions are genuine and rooted in a culture of community.

2. A Rich Tapestry of Culture and Language
Ghana is home to a variety of languages including Twi, Ga, Ewe, Fante, and Dagbani. English is the official language, but local languages are widely spoken in homes, markets, churches, and community gatherings. Understanding a few basic phrases in the local dialect will help you connect more deeply with people. Culture in Ghana includes vibrant music, traditional dances, colorful attire like kente, and respect for elders. Ceremonies, festivals, and storytelling are part of everyday life and offer a glimpse into the country’s rich heritage.

3. Delicious Food and Shared Meals
Ghanaian cuisine is full of flavor, spices, and warmth. You’ll enjoy dishes like jollof rice, fufu with light soup or groundnut soup, banku with tilapia, kelewele (spicy fried plantains), waakye (rice and beans), and kenkey with pepper sauce and fish. Meals are often communal and shared, especially in traditional households, and eating together is a sign of unity and love. Street food is popular and usually affordable—just make sure it’s freshly prepared and clean.

4. A Mix of Modern and Traditional Living
In cities like Accra and Kumasi, you’ll find malls, restaurants, internet cafes, and hotels with modern amenities. But travel just a little outside the city, and you’ll experience rural areas with traditional homes, unpaved roads, and open markets. Both worlds coexist in Ghana, and visitors are encouraged to embrace the contrast. Things may not always work on a rigid schedule, but the experience is rich and rewarding.

5. Transportation and Getting Around
Public transportation is commonly done through “trotros” (shared minivans), taxis, and ride-hailing apps like Bolt or Yango. Private cars and drivers are also available for hire. Traffic can be heavy in urban areas, especially during rush hour, so give yourself extra time for travel. In rural areas, roads may be rough, and navigation may require patience—but the views are often worth it.

6. Faith and Spiritual Life
Ghana is a highly spiritual country, with Christianity and Islam as the predominant religions. Churches are everywhere, and it’s common to hear gospel music playing in taxis, shops, and public places. Many shops even have religious names. If you’re a person of faith, you’ll feel at home worshipping with local congregations or simply observing how spirituality shapes everyday life. Ghanaians often pray before meals, meetings, or even business transactions.

7. Health, Safety, and Travel Tips
Before traveling, make sure to get your yellow fever vaccination—it’s required. Malaria prevention medication is highly recommended. Drink only bottled or purified water, and be cautious with raw foods. Ghana uses the Ghanaian cedi (GHS), and cash is preferred in many places, though mobile money is growing in popularity. The climate is hot and humid, so pack light clothing, sunscreen, and stay hydrated. Power outages (called “lights off”) may occur, so bring a flashlight or power bank just in case.

Visiting Ghana is more than a vacation—it’s a cultural encounter filled with joy, connection, and meaning. From the flavorful meals to the powerful traditions, Ghana welcomes you with open arms and open hearts. At SpeakGhana, we’re here to help you prepare with language lessons, cultural insights, and travel support. Learn. Connect. Speak Ghana. And don’t forget to say “Akwaaba!”