Ghana - essentials to bring with me??

sudzs

I'm going to Ghana for around 5 or 6 weeks.

So apart form travel adapters, a socket board and anti malaria meds,is there anything else I really should bring with me?!

Or any other advice appreciated too as it's my first time going to Africa!

ArthurG

Immodium or some form of anti diarrhea meds (lots of)
Motilium
Insect repellant spray
Sun cream
If you have a favourite type of painkiller (e.g. Neurofen)
Funnily enough - if you like instant coffee bring it, as its mega mega expensive there (e.g. Nescafe Gold Blend)

If you're going for 5/6 weeks, I'd say don't worry about food, as you'll not be able to bring enough of your favourite stuff to last that long, unless you dedicate a suitcase to it - but multivitamins / minerals might be an idea.

Visa works fine in ATMs for cash - but be prepared to have to carry large wads of the stuff around with you, so a suitable wallet will be required.

ProudDUB

Really good after sun lotion. No matter how well you apply the sun screen, there will always be a part of your bod that you'll miss & it will be very sore the next day. Try and get spray on sun screen too. You'll reach more bodily parts easier than if you are using a rub in cream. Stay away from the heavily scented stuff if you can get it. You'll attract less bugs that way.

If you are of the female persuasion, all sanitary products for the entire 6 weeks stay. Some sort of light shawl or head scarf to cover your head and shoulders if you are entering an environment where it is not appropriate for women to have their head & shoulders bare.

Chapstick or Vaseline. The air over there is very, very dry. Your skin and lips will dry out very quickly. If you wear contact lens, double your normal amount of contact lens solution and eye drops. A back up pair of glasses if you can't wear your contacts. Due to the heat and dry air, the natural fluids in your eyes can dry out, making contacts uncomfortable to wear.

Sachets of Dioralyte powders to add to bottled water if you do get a case of the runs. Will rehydrate you in jig time.

Hand sanitizer.

A hat that will protect the back of your neck, but you'll probably be able to get that out here.

Zebra3

OP,

Have you vaccinations for your trip? And the accompanying yellow booklet with them all documented in it? Have you got travel insurance?

Do you need a visa to enter the country?

Bring photocopies of your passport (the page with all your details on it + of your visa if you need one) in case you lose it.

Cienciano

You probably have your visa already, but worth getting a multi entry visa if you want to head over to Lome for a while. Just saves border hassle.
Centre of Accra feels safer than the centre of Dublin imho, enjoy the trip.

sudzs

Thanks for all the advice!

I have stockpiled all of the drugs mentioned except Molillium. Have that on the list now. Tons of vitamins too... Think I'm going to need a bigger case though!

And yes, visa is being processed a tthe mo and I got my yellow fever jab the other day. Going back for a few others next week.

Regarding food, I'm a bit of a fibre freak, is it safe to assume I'll be able to get a bran cereal of some sort over there??

Canis Lupus

sudzs wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice!

I have stockpiled all of the drugs mentioned except Molillium. Have that on the list now. Tons of vitamins too... Think I'm going to need a bigger case though!

And yes, visa is being processed a tthe mo and I got my yellow fever jab the other day. Going back for a few others next week.

Regarding food, I'm a bit of a fibre freak, is it safe to assume I'll be able to get a bran cereal of some sort over there??

Long post alert...

Where in Ghana are you going?

Long story short, no Unless you're staying in Accra in a topend hotel that is catering for foreigners and only then, maybe. Ghanas staple food is rice and sauce (on a slight side note it's quirky to travel W Africa and see coffee and baguettes prevalent and then get to Ghana where it's tea and white loaves).

If you're not in a decent hotel there will be an expat shop somewhere in Accra where you will probably be able to buy some but you'll have a lol at the price they'll charge. (I pretty much got to Accra and left so never really explored but all major capitals have expat supermarkets)

As for other bits and bobs. If you're out in the bush sunblock is a no brainer, wide brimmed hat will stop your brain melting. Insect repellant. Buy Deet off amazon, the highest percentage you can get. It's really the best but it can melt plastic so package it well Mossie net if you're again out in the bush, the mossies will eat you alive if you don't. Antipoo meds sure bring them but I got sick once on my travels and that was in Morocco. Street food is simple but tasty enough, enjoy the atmosphere at least once imo of just buying off the street.

Finally, clothes. Look, unless you're going for some businessy reason if there's one thing I learned on my travels is you don't need a suitcase full of clothes A couple of tshirts, some shorts (convertible trousers are best) and flipflops with some underwear are all you need. Everything should light, easy to handwash and importantly, easy to dry (generally you can get a local woman to wash your stuff for you for a reasonable price if you're lazy). Forget jeans, heavy cotton, stuff like that. The humidity from Kumasi down to Accra is heartbreaking (at least it was when I was then around Jan). Anything heavy will make you want to die. Oh and tight fitting clothes good during day to wick sweat away imo, bad at night cos mossies just bite you through it....

If you've never been to Africa before enjoy the culture shock

(if you go up to Kumasi visit Vic Baboos cafe for a burger and shake. It's Indian run and fupping yum).

bamboozle

havent been there in 4 years but last time Mastercard did not work anywhere, only visa...and that was rare...you generally had to use the old swipe machines which left you liable to have your card scanned (4 one way tickets to Rome booked on mine!)

suncream, sunblock and tiger balm to rub on your mozzy bites.

be prepared for the locals to hiss at you (its their way of saying hi)
if you go away from Accra be prepared for lots of shocked kids when they see you, the brave ones might want to touch you, the adults will want to be you friend and ask for your address - (Do not give them your address! Aras an Uachtarain, Phoenix Park, Dublin will do.)
if you are using the local transport (trotro's) be prepared for long cramped journeys.

We travelled up north to Tamale to see the elephants at Mole National Park then meandered down through the country towards lake volta to the akasombo dam.

beautiful country, not used to tourists, moves at a different pace, i loved it there.

Oh and bring lots of pens for the kids..they go down really well.

Canis Lupus

bamboozle wrote: »

Oh and bring lots of pens for the kids..they go down really well.

People have differing ideas on this but frankly if one thing annoyed me more than anything else during my time in Africa it was an almost ingrained attitude from young to old that a white person should give 'something'. It's turning the continent into beggars.

Dispensing pens/sweets/money might make you feel good at the time but I feel it's damaging the place and makes it less enjoyable for those that come after you to have to endure entire villages of people sometimes running up to you with hands out. My opinion is if you want to help, pick a local charity and donate and leave it at that.

ProudDUB

sudzs wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice! Regarding food, I'm a bit of a fibre freak, is it safe to assume I'll be able to get a bran cereal of some sort over there??

You are going to a Third World country OP. You are not going to be able to get the processed and packed food items that are readily available in First World countries, unless (as another poster said) you are staying in a hotel that caters to wealthy Westerners, and they consider it worth their while to import these items for their guests. Or you find a shop that imports them for British and Irish expats. It will usually be affiliated with an Irish pub or English tea rooms.

My experiences of such shops has been a bit hit and miss. Check expiration dates very carefully, and make sure the seals on boxes and packages have not been tampered with. Lord knows how long these items were sitting in rat infested warehouses in 120 degree heat before they made it to the shop shelves. If you are able to dig up some good breakfast cereal eats, good luck finding milk that has been pasteurized and refrigerated to western standards. I'd bring a stash of high fibre cereal bars instead if I were you.

Agree with canus lupus about the pens. Don't be doing things that draw attention to yourself, unless you are in a controlled environment where you know your surroudings are kosher. There has been many an unsuspecting tourist (not just in Africa it has to be said) who has found themselves surrounded by a crowd of cute kids/friendly villagers, got distracted, and when all was said and done, their pockets, purse, backpacks etc were emptied of all their valuables. Hate to be a worry wart, but forewarned is forearmed right ?

sudzs

Thanks everyone for all the info!

I got myself a Bradt guide book and it advises against hand outs of pens or suchlike with the theory that it encourages the "give me" culture. The author says he found it to be less prevalent on his most recent visit anyway.

Loved Accra lovely feel to the city. Living in Abuja Nigeria accra has a far more authentic african feel to it and lovely to be able to walk around at night and feel safe. Get yourself down the coast to elmina and onto axim some beautiful beaches along there and really quiet if you want a relaxing break after accra.

mel.b

If you will be using drop or squat toilets, one thing I found really handy on my trip to east africa is to go and buy one of those Vicks nose sticks that you use when you have a cold. Then when you have to go to the toilet, hold it up to your nose before entering...really helps block the smell and stop the retching:eek: Really, I did love Africa though