Accra, Ghana Report of what it's like to live there - 07/24/25
Personal Experiences from Accra, Ghana
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
This was my first experience living abroad in Ghana I have been living in South Africa for 6 months before this.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
My home city is Washington, DC. There are direct flights from Dulles and JFK with Atlanta being added soon. It is not too difficult but has increased in price significantly over the past three years
3. What years did you live here?
I live there for 3.5 years.
4. How long have you lived here?
2022 - 2025.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
My housing was provided by the mission where we had access to a generator, water pumps, and other amenities that kept things as consistent as they can be. The house was 4 bedrooms plus a domestic quarters and access to a pool. The commute was fewer than 5 min but can be longer depending on where your work location is because of traffic.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
The availability of regular item can vary a lot. One week they could have your usual item then it could go out of stock for several weeks or be replaced with something that might not be what you are used to. You will have to go to at least 3-4 store to acquire all the items you need for cooking. There is one place that has some BJs/Costco type products but expect them to me marked up. Luckily, we had access to freight forwarding for Amazon/Walmart/Target non bulk items so that would be a supplement but it could take 1week to months for it to arrive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Lots of liquids…different cooking oils, paper towels, foil, liquid dish detergent, etc.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
One thing is finding places that are consistent. Many times, I have been to place where you go to them one week and the next week the food is not to same. Could be supply chain issues just like with the grocery stores since a lot of them buy their stuff from the same grocery store you would shop at given the close cultural ties.
Food delivery is quick since they have guys on motor bike or bicycles. Uber and Bolt also deliver depending on the store.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Ants will drive you crazy if and when they find their way in so you have to keep and eye on that. After about 4:30 pm it seems the mosquitoes come out to feed on folks who they like. There are some little annoying flies that seem to either come from the drain since construction here does not include P traps that will alleviate the odors and other things coming though the drains. There are some large roach looking creatures that will also find there way into your house. Little lizards will eat a lot of the bugs in your house so I used to leave them to do their thing.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
All mail was sent through the diplomatic mission.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
This is where you can make sure life easier. You can hire a nanny, driver, gardener, cook, swim coach, etc. They are very affordable and very good at their jobs and most have worked with expats before.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
There are some newer gyms that have been built that cover all areas of exercise. You would have to research to see which ones have the equipment to your liking.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
It is fairly safe to walk in the daytime. At night can be dicey. There are an abundance of open sewers that can swallow half of cars and have claimed people also. A lot of the local society walks. There are little to no sidewalks around Ghana. You will be walking in the streets with cars a lot of the time. Bike riding is not for the faint. I typically went early Saturday and Sunday morning since there is minimal cars and less of chance to be hit. Ghana is not a handicap accessible area. There is no ADA type requirement for builders to follow. You could easily pick anywhere to really workout but the temps might make you choose otherwise.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Credits cards are safe to use and in most areas: Visa and Mastercard. No AMEX. Diplomatic mission has access to ATMs or you can use the reputable ones in the local area to get local currency at a good rate.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is mainly used in the Accra city area but as you get further away from there then the local dialects are more prevalent.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, they would. There is no mandate to make anything accessible for people with physical disabilities.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
I would advise to stick to only Uber, Bolt, or Yango as a ride sharing transportation method. Those are safer methods of transportation since the local bus or mini bus are not maintained and lack adequate safety methods to protects its passengers.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
It is a rare occasion to find a charging station in the Accra area as they are not a popular vehicle. Having a home charger would make do but do not expect to drive a long distance and be able to charge your vehicle. Bring a gas or diesel vehicle, preferably an SAV or SUV because the roads can get a little rough when you go on the local dirt roads. Motorbikes seems to be a magnet to peoples vehicles since they break the laws on the regular with their methods of making a third lane or being impatient. Do not bring a vehicle you don’t mind getting messed up.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
This is where the rubber hits the road. Internet can be hit or miss at any time. Starlink made it so much more bearable to living in Ghana as the internet was constantly cutting off due to random cut fibers or just some unknown issues. The main local providers are Telcel and MTN. My quality of life went from 30% to 100% after we left Telcel and switched to Starlink. There are many times over the 3.5 years where we had no internet for weeks at a time. Seemed to be every 3 months.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Take an unlocked phone so you can get a local SIM with either Telcel or MTN. Google Fi works but it seems the local telcos sabotage the links as of recently from monitoring the connection. The google FI service will have signal and then cut off 10 times a day or more. It 2024 it was consistent but once Telcel took over it took a turn for the worse for roaming. You travel to any other country in region and there was no issue with google Fi so it all points back to the local Telcel provider as the culprit for the subpart roaming service. T-Mobile roaming would also experience the same thing as of recently.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
If you have good internet with Starlink then you can work remotely with no problem but if you don’t then you are at risk to not being able to work remotely. Spouses usually can find a position within the diplomatic mission or if they have an entrepreneurial spirit could start their own little business.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Dress code and be casual or business casual. Dress mostly so you are comfortable given the heat.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Security concerns usually revolve around emotionally disturbed individuals that are roaming around on rare occasions as Ghana does not have any programs for these individuals. You get to know who they are quickly on their good and bad days. As with anywhere keep your doors locked so you are not an easy target. Don’t go in areas that you don’t feel safe. Common sense.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Malaria is one concern so make sure to take your meds because it prevalent. If you have a lot of allergies or food allergies then this might not be the best spot. Food allergies are a difficult thing to relay to local food establishments as they typically do have a chart to explain what is in the food. Don’t risk if you can't get a clear answer.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
The air quality is fine till dusty season comes and then it has been worse than India. This typically comes around December to March. The sky will be an orangish color and you will have to wear a mask at times. Make sure to have the air quality app on your phone so you know to protect your and your kids.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Any of the typical things that you would find in the USA.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
I would say it would depend on the person.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The temperature is pretty consistent. Highs are around 90 and during cooler/rainy times between May and August it can drop into the low 70s
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are two schools Ghana International School and Lincoln Community School. There is also a French school available.
2. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, there are several around the area but we preferred Little Explorers. There is afterschool activities at LCS.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
There are swim class, golf, tennis, and soccer. Some other niche things might be hard to find.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There is a large contingency of expats in Ghana. There are several groups on Facebook that cover these communities.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are expat events held at diplomatic mission or at places owned by expats in Ghana.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It can be hard for singles given the small area and overlapping. You always want to be mindful that there are good intentions when dating any local. For couples without kids it can be an adventure since they can have freedom to explore around the country and other countries in the area. Elementary children will be fine but middle school and high school children usually have a harder time since there is not a lot of activities to do in Ghana as they could do in the USA.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Yes, it should be easy to make friends and meet new people.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
This is a very touchy topic with the Ghanaian community. There are locals who are part of LGBT but will not be as open as you would see in the USA. There are laws they want to enact that could adversely affect LGBT expats. Be mindful that locals will sometimes express their feelings towards the matter.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
There still seems to be a mild overtone that females are not fully equals as you would think. You see it more with locals but sometimes it can be projects on the expats depending on the situation and location.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
The highlights have been just the time with diplomatic community and family. That is what kept the good times rolling. Without that it would not have been the experience that is was. The kids were able to make some long-lasting friends. Didn’t go on any real local trips because the infrastructure (roads) just deterred me was dealing with that and the traffic. We flew outside of the country to get a better experience for our money.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are markets every weekend that have an abundance of things to purchase, even local farmers markets.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The advantage of living in the city proper is close commute and close access to the stores. If you lived too far away traffic can be a problem most of the times.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How much patience i would have to have with regards to alot of things and the passiveness of the locals.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Only for the diplomatic mission. It would be hard to live as a true expat unless I had had all the access to the things I had in the diplomatic mission. Don’t let Instagram be your only eyes because that is the glamour shots with filters.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
preconceived notions. Whatever you heard you just have to experience for yourself.
4. But don't forget your:
patience!
