AFRICA CONFERENCE 12 - 14 SEPTEMBER 2016 ACCRA, GHANA
CANSO PRACTICAL INFORMATION GUIDE Location
Accra is a populous city with beaches, monumental buildings, museums, libraries, galleries, traditional markets and high energy nightlife. Accra’s architecture reflects its colonial history, with 17th century castles standing alongside modern skyscrapers.
Visa - IMPORTANT
Time Zone
Ghana is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) + 0 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Currency
The official currency is Ghanaian cedi (GHS). The current exchange parity has currently set at the fixed rated of:
Almost all nationalities require a visa, with the exception of ECOWAS member countries.
$1 USD = 3.85 GHS €1 Euro = 5.6 GHS
It is strongly recommended to begin the visa application process as soon as possible, as it can take several weeks for your visa to be issued. Please contact the embassy or consulate of Ghana in your country as soon as possible to apply for a visa. A list of Ghanaian embassies and consulates can be found here: http://gh.embassyinformation. com
American dollars and Euros are accepted in many places. Exchange is easily available at banks and exchange agencies. Credit cards and traveller’s cheques are accepted in most establishments.
Necessary requirements for entering Ghana: • Valid passport • Original Vaccination Certificate Against Yellow Fever • Letter of introduction from Ghana CAA • Visa fee • Other documentation as required by the Ghana embassy in your country
Electricity
Local voltage is 220/240 V 50 Hz. Electric outlets in Ghana accept either 3-pronged, or sometimes 2-pronged.
Climate
Bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean and on the West by Côte d’Ivoire, the East by Togo and the North by Burkina Faso. Ghana is a tropical country. The South Western part is located within the warm wet forest zone similar to the Amazon. Accra, the capital, is located in the dry equatorial zones.
Note: It is possible to obtain an emergency visa upon arrival in Ghana, but we strongly recommend beginning the visa application process prior to travelling.
The month of September is a warm month in Accra with lowest temperature being 24ºC and highest temperature being 32ºC.
Health
Water is safe but it is advisable to use bottled drinking water which is available for sale in hotels and super markets.
Participants must ensure they take out travel insurance (including health) from their home country for the duration of their stay in Accra. Presentation of yellow fever certificate at the point of entry is mandatory for all countries. If the certificate cannot be made available, vaccination will take place on point of entry for a fee.
Transportation
Transport will be provided from the airport to the hotel (at arrival and departure). Please indicate this preference upon your registration.
Water
Tipping
Be prepared to leave a tip when receiving a service in Ghana. It is not protocol, but generally a tip is expected and always appreciated. It is also customary to leave a tip for Housekeeping and the Porter in the hotel.
AFRICA CONFERENCE 12 - 14 SEPTEMBER 2016 ACCRA, GHANA
CANSO PRACTICAL INFORMATION GUIDE Emergency Contacts
Ghana Emergency Services, dial: Police 191 Fire 192/ 999 Ambulance 193
CANSO Event Staff
Amanda Tamul Head of Events Mobile: +31 (0)6 29 712 1678 Email: amanda.tamul@canso.org Michelle Sachtler Events Coordinator Mobile: +31 (0)6 51 88 4000 Email: michelle.sachtler@canso.org
CANSO Events Office
Phone: +31 (0)23 568 5390 Email: events@canso.org