Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories From: 76702.1202@compuserve.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Ghana Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Wed, 23 Feb 1994 18:07:13 GMT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Ghana ============================================================ Ghana - Consular Information Sheet February 18, 1994 Country Description: Ghana is a developing country on the west coast of Africa. Facilities for tourism in Accra are available, but are limited in some of the more remote areas of the country. Entry Requirements: A passport and a visa are required. Evidence of immunization for yellow fever and cholera is also required. All travelers are required to pay an airport departure tax of 8,000 Ghanaian cedis ($15). For additional information, travelers may contact the Embassy of Ghana, 3512 International Drive, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 686-4520. There is also a Ghanaian Consulate General at 19 East 47th Street, New York, N. Y. 10017, telephone (212) 832-1300. Areas of Instability: As a result of ethnic fighting and violence, the Government of Ghana has declared a state of emergency in the northern region of Ghana. Travel to and through the northern region could be dangerous. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Ghana are limited, particularly outside the capital city of Accra. Malaria is common, as are other tropical diseases. Doctors and hospitals often request immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be helpful. Further information on health matters may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, is common. Robberies often occur in public places and at the beach. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Import-Export Restrictions: Ghana has strict laws on currency exchange, and on the import and export of gold, diamonds and other natural resources. Only designated official agencies are authorized to handle import-export transactions. Attempts to evade regulations are punishable by a three-to-seven-year prison term. Smuggling of any kind is a serious crime in Ghana; airport officials have the authority to conduct body searches. Currency transactions with private citizens are illegal. Ghana has roadblock checkpoints where automobiles and sometimes passengers may be searched. Visitors arriving in Ghana with electronic equipment, particularly video cameras and laptop computers, may be required to pay a refundable deposit of 17.5 per cent of the value of the item prior to entry into the country. To receive a refund of the deposit, visitors must apply to the Customs and Excise Office, located in central Accra, 48 hours before departure. Prohibitions on Photography: In some areas, possession of a camera is considered to be suspicious. Individuals have been arrested for taking pictures near sensitive installations. Dual Nationality: The Government of Ghana does not recognize dual nationality except for minors under 21 years of age. A dual national who enters Ghana with a Ghanaian passport will be treated as a Ghanaian citizen only. If a dual national Ghanaian-American enters Ghana on his or her Ghanaian passport and is later arrested for any reason while in Ghana, the U.S. Embassy normally is not notified of the arrest by Ghanaian authorities. Consular assistance for dual U.S.-Ghanaian citizens is therefore limited. Clothing Prohibitions: The wearing of any military apparel, such as camouflage jackets or pants, or any clothing or items which may appear military in nature is strictly prohibited. Travel on Ghana Airways: The service provided by Ghana Airways has been reported to be unreliable. The airline has been known to skip scheduled stops, arrive on non-scheduled days and regularly overbook flights -- all of which can cause unexpected delays and additional expense. Travelers may be required to handle increased financing of alternate ticketing and/or increased food and lodging needs. Registration: Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy may obtain updated information on travel and security within Ghana. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located on Ring Road East, P.O. Box 194, Accra, Ghana. The telephone number is 77-53-47. The Consular Section is located at the U.S. Embassy Annex, 10th and 11th Lanes, near Danquah Circle, OSU. The telephone numbers are (233-21) 77-66-01/02; the Consular Section's fax number is (223-21) 77-57-47. No. 94-018 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 18, 1993 to add a paragraph on areas of instability.