By AccraEventsGH
Get the most out of your trip to Ghana with this list of items that could save you time, energy and stress.
So you have exciting plans to visit Ghana this festive season, and you are focused on selecting outfits which communicate that you didn't come to play. Before you fill your suitcase with more clothing than necessary for this trip, make a little space for these little necessities which surely come in handy when the need arises. You can find all these items in Ghana, but it is advantageous to come prepared. Moreover, you may have certain product or brand preferences that are not available locally. Your priorities may differ, but allocate space and funds for the following nonetheless.
1: PHYSICAL CURRENCY
The streets of Accra are littered with an assortment of ATMs and Banks alike so you can always access your money... at least that's the assumption; but anything can happen. Depending on your time of arrival, some of these resources may be unavailable, which could make your first few hours uncomfortable. Also, a significant number of service providers, like taxi's and corner stores, deal exclusively in Cash or MOMO - meaning your card will not be useful in these situations regardless. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Pack a bit of physical currency to convert when you arrive.
PRO TIP: Local Forex and Alhaji Exchange Rates are significantly better than foreign and local bank rates. Additionally, you are not charged transaction fees, therefore you get more money to spend on your vacation!
2: REPELLENT & ANTI-MALARIAL MEDS
Just because you're taking a vacation doesn't mean the mosquitos and other pests are on vacation too: in fact they will likely be celebrating with the influx of fresh and foreign blood donators like yourself. Don't Get Caught Lacking! Malaria will put a huge damper on all your plans and ruin the vibe. If you don’t intend on staying for long, invest in a trusted prophylaxis before you arrive. If you are here for multiple months, prolonged prophylaxis use can have adverse health effects, so focus on finding an efficient repellent. We have numerous malaria prevention tactics and tools like mosquito coils, mosquito nets, insecticides etc., but these aren't always convenient solutions. Protect yourself!
PRO TIP: Take a dosage of Malaria treatment with you on your way back. Most Western countries are ill-equipped to diagnose and treat Malaria.
3: POWER BANKS, ADAPTERS & CONVERTERS
I recommend power banks for all trips, but especially for Ghana because of the unpredictable electricity schedule in certain neighborhoods. Though power outages maybe infrequent, they are not impossible. We use our phones for work, leisure or emergencies and a dead phone is no use in either of those scenarios. To efficiently document your local adventures and fun experiences, a functional device will serve you better (obviously)! Give your phone a backup power supply. You may also need an adapter for your gadgets. In Ghana, we use the following outlet/socket types:
Type C (Common globally)
Type E (Common in France, Belgium etc)
Type F (Common in most of Europe & Russia)
Type G (Common in the UK/UAE+)
To ensure you can plug your appliances and gadgets anywhere, just come with a Universal Adapter. Furthermore, those from North America may also need a Voltage Converter. North America runs their electrical systems at 100-127 volts/60 Hertz whereas Ghana, like most other countries, runs at 220-240 volts/50 Hertz. A Voltage Converter will protect your favourite appliances from blowing up.
4: UNLOCKED PERSONAL MI-FI
There is free Wi-Fi available at some Cafés, Hotels, Airbnb's and Higher-End establishments, but free Wi-Fi is not a city-wide provision. Also, just because Free WiFi is promised does not mean the WiFi signal is strong enough or functional (9 out of 10 times when you're told 'the WiFi is not working today', it means that WiFi never works). Avoid disappointment by coming with your own unlocked pocket MiFi router. A personal MiFi is more secure and practical since works outside the WiFi zones. Getting a local SIM Card and purchasing a data bundle is also significantly cheaper than your roaming plan. In addition to all these other perks, having a MiFi will preserve your phone battery since there will be no need to use your mobile hotspot.
5: PAINKILLERS, MULTIVITAMINS & DIARRHEA MEDS
There's a chance you will not need these; but pack them anyway. In your home country, you're used to eating a specific diet with ingredients from a particular source. This means even if you order the same meal here, there'd still be some differences in the nutritional composition. Bring multivitamins to ensure that you are getting adequate amounts of all the necessary nutrients. Additionally, you may not be accustomed our local spices, which could be upsetting to your system. Thats when the diarrhea treatment will come in handy. Last but not least, Ghanaians have a high tolerance for drinking copious amounts and staying out in loud spaces past dawn. This is where those painkillers come in. Bring your preferred brand of painkillers to ease your recovery.
6: SANITIZER
Considering everything we've learnt over the last 2 years from the COVID-19 pandemic, I shouldn't even have to explain this one. In fact, sanitizer should not be optional - it should be a travel requirement. Apart from being hygienic in general, sanitizer is necessary because of the handshaking culture in Ghana. Is there a gathering of elders at a funeral? Greet & Shake. Did you meet a group of elders at an engagement party? Greet & Shake. Is there a row of elders on the front porch of your friends house? Greet & Shake. Is there a random assortment of elders in your living room interacting with your family or friends? Greet & Shake. There are few scenarios involving elders in which Greeting & Shaking are inappropriate. The best part is, handshakes aren’t just reserved for elders - under 70's also engage handshakes. And we don't just give dry, basic handshakes, we give elaborate haaaaaandshakes that end with a snap. In conclusion: you need sanitizer.
7: SUNSCREEN & MOISTURIZER
Ghana is sunny all year round, even during the rainy season. Protect your skin from those UV Rays! If you have darker skin, you've probably heard mantras like "black don't crack", "black don't burn" or "you've got that natural melanin glow". While all these may be true, dark skin is still skin and sunscreen protects ALL skin. Only ignore this if you have absolutely no skin, because you have bigger problems that need something stronger than sunscreen. If you have planned your trip for December, you'll arrive during Harmattan; our driest season all year round. Come with your preferred brand of lotion if your sunscreen isn't 2 in 1 moisturizer. You will turn heads for all the wrong reasons if your outfits are on point but you have that scaly, ashy crocodile skin.
9: PORTABLE FAN
Portable Fans should be much higher on this list of necessities because GHANA. IS. HOT! Most males would rather be sweaty and uncomfortable than be caught dead with their own portable fan. This nifty item best serves those who don’t let their egos keep them in distress. Good quality fans last anywhere from 6 to 12 hours when fully charged and are really efficient with air circulation. If you’d rather be a "Tough / Hard Guy", this refreshing accessory is not for you! You can choose exclusively air-conditioned hang-out spots, keep using your drenched handkerchief with more sweat than a marathon runner in the Sahara Dessert, or kneel and pray for some cool breeze.
8: BATHING SUITS/ SWIMMING TRUNKS & SUNGLASSES
Ghana is a sunny, coastal country with beautiful beaches. It will be irresponsible to come all this way and not spend a little time at the beach. We also have a number of lakes, rivers and poolsides for you to take advantage of during your vacation. Even if swimming, tanning or water sports do not appeal to you, these simple garments could still come in handy for pool parties and photoshoots.
10: A PEN
If you're coming to Ghana "for a good time, not a long time", this last one will seem highly unnecessary, but hear me out. Before you can exit the airport and embark on your streak of shenanigans and poor decisions, you need to fill Customs & Immigration forms. With this little item, you skip the queue of unprepared pen-less travelers. However without this convenient little item, you either have to bother a better-prepared stranger who packed a pen after reading this article, or join the long queue of other ill-prepared folk who have lined up to use 1 of 3 pens made available for the public at the airport.
BONUS: AN EXTRA BAG
Ghana is a colourful land with a rich history and a vibrant culture. Even the most uncultured souls leave here with a souvenir or two. Bring extra space so you can easily take a reminder of your adventure. Take a selection of local vegan snacks like our organic roasted peanuts and plantain chips, hand made wooden sculptures and trinkets, 100% Ghanaian Chocolate, or original handwoven kente cloth and other traditional garb you may have acquired during your stay. Don't limit yourself.
Although the above are not an absolute necessity, they are items you are most likely to need during your stay in Ghana. To read about things you actually need in Ghana, Things to do in Ghana or Events to attend in Ghana, check our social media platforms, or our other countdown lists here. Check back in 2 weeks for our next article and browse through our website for more updates. Till then, "Life is for the Living, so Live It Up!"