Museum and Handicrafts Market

The Museums of Ghana speak of the varied archaic and ethnic heritage the nation owns from its past, still preserved in the original objects, to serve as memory for the current generation and for those to come. The Handicrafts Market in Ghana reproduces arts and crafts that have been symbols representing the people’s lifestyle and culture since the ancient past. The Museums and Handicrafts Market show that the people still identify willingly with their heritage and with values of their ancestors.

The National Museum of Ghana is in the capital city of Accra. This museum was established in the year of Independence, is the oldest of its kind, and has special significance to Ghana. The museum owns exhibits that are considered national treasure and includes archaeological discoveries from the Stone Age period, antiquities of colonial rule and contemporary Ghanaian art. Various objects of ethnographic significance such as stools, pottery, musical instruments, the famous Ashanti gold weights, beads and textiles are set up on display here. Objects from other parts of Africa, such as the Bushongo carvings from Congo, bronze heads from Nigeria, Senfu masks from Ivory Coast and Zulu wooden figures from Southern Africa, which have been acquired through exchange, are also set up to display here. The National museum is open Tue to Sun, 0900hrs to 1700hrs. Visitors are charged an entrance fee and photography is allowed.

The Centre for National Arts and Culture in Accra, hosts the country’s largest handicrafts market. Handicrafts ranging from traditional musical instruments, exotic woodcarvings, leatherwear, cane and raffia products, precious metal jewelry, antiques, paintings, clay and ivory products, that have been manufactured in different parts of the country and abroad, are sold here. Buyers include individuals who buy for personal use and for gifts, and dealers who buy in bulk and sell them in America and Europe. The Handicrafts market industry provides employment opportunities to thousands of Ghanaians and to those in the neighboring countries. International delegates and dignitaries, who visit Ghana, are offered courteous visits to the handicrafts market.

Filed Under: Attractions, Customs, Ghana Tagged With: , , ,

Currency and Forex Facilities in Ghana

1 Ghana Cedi banknote
Image via Wikipedia

The Cedi is the official currency of Ghana. One hundred Pesewas make One Cedi. In 1982, the Cedi stood at a high $2.75 against the US dollar, after which serious recession hit Ghana. The economic situation since then has relatively improved, but constant fluctuation in inflation rate keeps the Ghanaian Cedi at a low value. Today the Ghanaian Cedi stands against the US dollar at approximately 71 cents. Cedi currency notes come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000. Pesewa coins come in denominations of 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and 1 Cedi.

Ghana follows a liberal foreign exchange system with other important countries and promotes the trade widely in all major towns through Forex bureaus, commercial banks and at the airport. Tourism plays a large role in contributing to the Forex trade in the country. Forex bureaus give better rates for the US dollar, Sterling pound and Euro as Cash than for Travellers cheques or Credit cards. To allow re-exchange of Cedis while departing the country, after your stay, it is advisable to save all Forex receipts for the transactions you have made while your stay in the country.

Most hotels, businesses, restaurants and travel agencies in Ghana accept American Express, Diners and Visa cards for their services. Some Forex bureaus also accept credit cards in exchange for Cedi cash, but the service fee is high. You can withdraw cash using your international ATM cards in banks, which operate Mon to Fri, 8.30hrs to 16.00hrs and on Sat 9.00hrs to 14.00hrs. Some banks in the US have upgraded the magnetic stripes on the cards issued to you. You may have to check and discuss with your bank to know whether your cards will be acceptable in Ghana. You may also want to check for value added services and offers against the travel points you accumulate. While on travel in Ghana, you are advised to protect your cards and cash and spend wisely

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Filed Under: Customs, Ghana, Shopping Tagged With: , , ,

Heading towards Ghana – Do’s and Don’ts of Travel

The Ghanaian government actively promotes tourism. The best time to visit Ghana is anytime, since the temperature is always hot and humid. If you prefer the humidity head toward the beaches or stay inland for dry climates. You must be vaccinated against yellow fever, cholera and malaria before you travel and carry the vaccination certificates along with you. Other than in the city of Accra, medical facilities are limited, so carry medicines with you for common illnesses such as bruises, fever, aches and gastric trouble.

Travelling to Ghana requires a passport and a Ghanaian visa. You may directly approach the Ghanaian embassy or allow your travel agent to help you through the process of applying and receiving the visa. When entering into Ghana, it is not advisable to carry more than US$5,000. Declare your electronic equipments, such as laptops and handy cams at the customs when you arrive at the airport, with a deposit fee of 17.5% of the equipments cost, if asked to. Collect your deposit fee from Accra Customs and Excise office within 48 hours before departure. When departing from Ghana, the airport charges a tax of US$15.

Travel and living expenditure in Ghana is a lot cheaper compared to standard international rates. Hotels, restaurants and other retail establishments charge you a 15% tax over your bill. The official currency of Ghana is the Cedi. Licensed Forex bureaus and banks in all major towns will provide currency exchange by accepting Cash, Travellers Cheque and sometimes Credit Cards. Currency exchange with private citizens of Ghana is illegal, so be prepared financially before leaving the states, as cash loans might be hard to come by if an accident occurs. Most large stores accept American Express, Visa and MasterCard. Do not shoot pictures or videos of military establishments and government buildings. Purchase gold and precious stones only from licensed dealers and carry the sale receipt and certificate with you. Phone cards for Cedi 12,500 are available to make local and international calls from phone booths. If you are travelling within the Northern region of Ghana, authorities sometimes impose curfews to curb ethnic violence, although for most the region is peaceful

Filed Under: Customs, Ghana, Transportation Tagged With: , , ,
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