Ghana
General Info
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42
forts and castles including Elmina and Cape Coast Castles
are recognized by UNESCO as World I Heritage Monuments. |
| • |
Sites
of wars between the British and at he indigenous population
especially the Ashanti peoples. |
| • |
Ancient
artistry in fabrics with the colorful and popular Ashanti
Bonwire Kente Cloth now adopted as a focus of identity by
many people of African descent the world over. |
| • |
An
antique collector’s haven for ancient terra cotta work.
Traditional gold jewellery, Krobo beads, northern leather
and straw product, woodcarving of Ahwiaa-Ashanti. |
| • |
The
practice of ancient herbal and alternative medicine side by
side with orthodox medical practice throughout the country;
herbariums preserve the ancient medical heritage. |
| • |
Colorful
traditional festivals full of pomp and pageantry with Chiefs
and Queen Mothers riding on lushly gilded palanquins. |
| • |
Colorful
traditional open markets and lorry parks provide the sounds
and sights of the African bazaar. |
Ghana Health
Information
Vaccinations
| |
Special
Precautions? |
Certificate
Required? |
| Yellow
Fever |
Yes |
Yes |
| Cholera |
Yes |
Yes |
| Typhoid
and Polio |
No |
|
| Malaria |
Yes |
|
Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take
medical advice in the case of doubt. For most updated information
please check www.cdc.gov
1 A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all nationals
entering the country.
2 Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination
certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Ghana. However,
cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are
essential. During the rainy seasons (May to Jul and Sep to Oct)
there are seasonal outbreaks of Cholera. Current outbreaks are
occurring in parts of Accra and Kumasi. Up-to-date advice should
be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include
vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness;
see the Health appendix.
3 Immunization against typhoid is usually advised. An outbreak
of Poliomyelitis occured in 2003.
4 Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form,
exists all year throughout the country.
Food & Drink
According to the Ghanaian High Commission in London, tap water
in cities is safe to drink. Other water sources should be regarded
as being potentially contaminated, and water used for drinking,
brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or
otherwise sterilized. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled.
Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make
sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products
which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat
well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad
and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be
cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers
are common. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming
and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated
and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A and E are widespread. Hepatitis
B is endemic. Hepatitis C occurs, as do dengue fever and TB. Epidemics
of meningitis and meningococcal disease may occur throughout tropical
Africa, particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry
season. Immunisation against diphtheria is sometimes recommended.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before
arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical
advice without delay. Those visiting beaches should be aware that
swimming can be dangerous due to riptides. For more information,
consult the Health appendix.
Healthcare
Health insurance is essential, preferably with cover for emergency
evacuation. Medical facilities exist in all the regional capitals
as well as in most towns and villages. Emergency medical facilities
are extremely limited.
