So You Want to Bamba & Party with the Big Boys?
Here’s everything you need to know to get into Ghana
Afrochella 2021 Highlight
We all know Accra is known for Parte After Parte, but getting there is no easy feat, particularly in the age of COVID-19. While rules and regulations are constantly changing for better or worse, be prepared to go through the ringer to walk through those pearly gates of ACC.
Typical Requirements
When you travel to any new country, it’s best to research all the necessities to board prior to purchasing your ticket. Make sure their regulations work in your favor, and won’t cost you time, money, and a headache that you’re not willing to abide by. With that being said, here are some of the requirements that Ghana typical mandates.
Passport
This should go without saying, but please make sure you have a valid passport that hasn’t expired. Depending on who your agent is when entering the country, they may or may not be finicky about when it’s due to expire. Just to be safe, I wouldn’t recommend traveling with a passport that is bound to expire within the next 3-4 months. With the way everything is delayed now, the sooner you apply for your passport renewal, the better off you’ll be— not having to pay for expedited or same-day service fees helps you and your pocket.
Visa
This specific requirement won’t pertain to everyone, but to my US babes… it absolutely will. In order to enter Ghana, and most likely board your aircraft, you will need to show proof of a visa. To my knowledge, there are two ways you can go about this, completing a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or completing the process prior to your scheduled flight.
Back story: I initially planned to complete my visa process before I left for Ghana. Once I had all the required documentations in order, I soon realized I would be pushing every ounce of luck with the hope that I would get it back in time (2 weeks). I quickly decided to go through the VOA process, which was only an option because of the group I was going with. This was more costly, and required a letter stating I had paid fees and would acquire my visa upon landing. This also required me being escorted by a consul member. I wouldn’t recommend doing the VOA process unless you know people to help you acquire it.
Decided you want to go through the lengthy process of completing your visa application yourself? Give yourself a solid month’s time to do it. What I didn’t realize was that not only is there an online application to be completed, you also have to make postage purchases and mail out the required documents to the Ghanaian embassy within the US, my closest embassy was D.C. Some of the documents required include: your passport, passport-sized photographs, signed paperwork, and completed/printed documents from the visa application website. My advice: read through the application thoroughly, and pay for expedited service if you can, just to save yourself the headache.
Yellow Fever Vaccine (YFV) + Malaria Pills
On occasion, you’ll run into countries that require various vaccinations and recommend various medications to enter. To enter Ghana it is recommended you take malaria pills as prescribed by your doctor. I’ve heard you can purchase them on arrival, but I didn’t feel like testing that theory out. I had my doctor prescribe them ahead of time, and with my insurance the cost was low. The Yellow Fever Vaccine on the other hand is mandatory. They will check for this at the airport, and it’s for your own good. This can get costly, and it is not widely available, so do your research and find a “travel doctor” that specializes in infectious diseases, they’ll be the ones to give you the shot and yellow card that goes along with it. Just be prepared to spend $200 and up for it. You might get lucky and find a local Walgreens carries it as well.
COVID-19 Requirements
Fully-Vaccinated
You have the option of Pfizer, Moderna, or even Johnson & Johnson, but it doesn’t change the fact that at the moment, you need to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. Bring your vaccine card with you.
2 Negative PCR Tests
Right now Ghana requires a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before your flight’s departure. This will allow you to fly into Ghana. Upon landing in Ghana you will need to take another PCR test at the airport before going through customs. You will pay for this test prior to flying into Ghana and will need to show receipt of it at the airport. Once you take your second PCR test, you’ll be allowed to go through customs and gather your belongings. Once there, you’ll wait around until your results are finished. We were able to check the status by going on a website that was posted around the room and entering our information. This took an additional 20 minutes AFTER going through customs to get our results. If you are positive, they’ll keep you at the airport momentarily, and eventually send you to a quarantined hotel.
Trusted Travel, PanaBios
Before leaving, create an account on this website (it’s free). Here you will upload your first negative PCR test to be approved. You will also be required to enter the pharmacy in which you took it, and your flight information. Once this is completed, and accepted you will receive a QR code that will be checked once you land in Ghana.
Health Declaration Form
Not far off from what we’ve been seeing in most countries, Ghana requires you to fill out a Health Declaration Form, no more than 48 hours prior to leaving for your flight. This is a simple feature! Your form will be linked to the unique ID code you received when you paid for your second COVID-19 PR test. Your PCR receipt contains an “HDF Reference/Unique ID” number. You’ll enter this number in order to access your health form.
So now that you know the requirements… you still planning to parte? Check out my Ghana highlights on Instagram @wandering.britt to see some of the things you can get into while out there.