Ghana Warnings Or Dangers Tips by Alpha_Ghana Top 5 Page for this destination

HIV AIDS

It is a fact, HIV is present eveywhere and more particularly in Africa. The number of HIV positive people is always underestimated.
In Ghana, the principal vector of HIV is not unsafe sex but doctors. With the poor level of basic hygiene in the hospitals, you can enter for a flue and go out with HIV.
It has happened to a French after a visit of an hospital in Tema.

Information on you.

You think if you protect your money and your expensive goods, you won't have problem.
In fact, everything has a value, even your business card.
People can steal or ask you your business card. They sell it to a 419er or a Nigerian scammer, who is going to write to you and tell he has millions dollars to share with you.

So, be careful when you give a business card and do like for your cheques: number them and know to whom you are giving them.

Malaria

Malaria is still very dangerous in Ghana and a lot of people die every year because of this infection.
If you come to Ghana, particularly from May to October, during the raining season, don't forget your malaria tablets.
Consult a tropical practitionner, because the malaria infection creates new defenses every year and one medication valid one year can be obsolete the year after.
The best is prevention, after 5PM, always wear clear clothes and be fully covered, especially legs and feet, use strong mosquito repellants.

Be aware that there is no 100% safe anti-malaria tablet, so never take the strongest because if you yet get malaria, there is nothing stronger.

In Ghana, there is a good medecine called HALFAN 90,000 cedis in all pharmacies. This cares you the three-four first times you get malaria, after you must choose another one.
After fever is gone, two-three days later, take a lot of vitamines and don't eat fat, don't drinl alcohol during at least 15 days. Don't do anything that can give difficulties to your lever.
The you can recover fast.

You perhaps have malaria if you feel:
- throat pain like a serious flu
- body pain and tired
- headache like BP down

Fever comes a little bit later but if you feel you have malaria, go to the hospital and make a test, if not possible take tablets.

Not caring maliara is very dangerous and you can die.

Swimming

Swimming under the hot sun of Ghana is very nice, however don't do it any where.
It is always better to go in the swimming pools.

Rivers and lakes: be careful, a lot of rivers have billiardhozis.

Sea: the waves and particuklarly the subwaves can be very dangerous. never swim where it is not allowed and monitored.

Water

WATER:
drink only mineral water in bottle (VOLTIC)
There is also water in plastic bags, some of them are real pure water, but a lot are tap water, not purified, so if you are not in the country for a long time, don't use this water.

In some parts of Accra, they found sometimes bacillus of cholera in tap water. However, in big hotels, tap water is purified and you can at least brush you teeth with it.

Be careful, even with water from deep wells. The first time, some Europeans presented me the water and I drank. I was ill during one week.
Now I can drink it, but I nevertheless prefer to drink bottled water.

The Cedi

The National currency is the Cedi.
There are banknotes of 1000, 2000 and 5000 cedis (today) but I have some old 20 and 50 banknotes.
By the end of 2002, they also issued 10000 and 20000 banknotes, which allow you to carry less weight when you go out.

There was a terrible inflation and devaluation during the years 1999 and 2000. The USD was around 700 USD in 1999 and is now more than 7000 !
The problem was that all the exportations of raw material decreased in quantity and value althought Ghana was in some big programs that requested importations.
However, they are not slaves to an European country like those who use the CFA.

I have two real CFA banknotes that have the same number, after that, where do you think that the French political parties find their secret funds?

As you are visiting Ghana, you are better to take US dollars or Pounds, no traveller's cheques, and a Visa card.

There are plenty ATM's for Visa.
It is better that you exchange your currencies in a FOREX office where rates are better than in bank, and queues shorter! Check several offices before changing, rates may vary from an office to another.
It is possible to exchange at the balck market and have more cedis for your dollars. Ask a guy at Wai Ki Ki or in Kente Street in Accra, also close to Paloma, in Kokomlemle.

Always change 100 $ at one time, because the day after you can have a devaluation.

Thanks to actions taken by the new government, the currency is now more stable, as well as the economy
In August 2001, the dollars fell against the cedi and it is now around 7100-7200. Black market gives you less discount.
In April 2004, the cedi is up to 10000 for one USD.

Men in Black

Since the last elections, GHANA POLICE changed fully. Imagine Ku Kux Klan in the fifties in deep South Caroline USA, If you are a white foreigner, they behave the same with you. Of course, they don't burn you or hang you, but they maltreat you, steal your money and fabricate for you to be guilty. They just want your money. The justice is always of the side of the Police when there is a problem. There is no real investigation.
If you don't want problem, pay the police. It is the only reason why the fabricate, to take your money.

Other Contact: your embassy