A Guide to Moving to Ghana

Moving to another country is a massive deal. It can be a stressful, expensive and frustrating time. But it doesn’t have to be! If you prepare well you can ensure that your experience is hassle-free.

Ghana is one of the most popular countries in Africa for tourists. With an exciting and fast-growing economy, the country is providing more opportunities to succeed for Ghanaians and immigrants. Beyond cities like Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi, the beaches, the leisurely pace of life and the diverse culture are just a few of the factors that are attracting people from all around the world.

With their wonderful cities and a thriving culture, we’re not surprised that people want to emigrate to Ghana. But what does a move like that involve?

In this blog you’ll find everything you need to consider before moving to Ghana including:

• What to expect when moving to Ghana
• How many people are moving to Ghana?
• Is moving to Ghana easy?
• When is Ghana’s Independence Day?
• How can I immigrate to Ghana?
• The best way to send money to Ghana

What to expect when moving to Ghana

Ghana is one of the jewels of Africa and is one of the most exciting places to live in the twenty-first century. In recent years it has become a popular holiday and emigration destination. Today people are moving to Ghana for the beaches, growing industries, the lifestyle and the people. Whether you want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, or you want to enjoy a slower, sunnier life by the beach, there is plenty to discover in Ghana

There are over 31.73 million people living in Ghana. The country is bordered by Togo, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. Most people live in the cities on the southern coast as well as the regions in the northeast. The tropical countryside, while beautiful, is sparsely populated as more and more Ghanaians have become attracted to the city-life. The southern areas of the country experience two rainy seasons: May-June and August-September. While in the north there is a single-continuous rainy season between May and September.

How many people are moving to Ghana?

According to the most recent statistics, there are close to 400,000 people living in Ghana who were born outside of the country. The last census revealed that the most common emigrants to Ghana are from Togo, with many people also coming from Nigeria and neighbouring nations such as the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.

Many people from the United Kingdom and the United States have also moved to Ghana in recent years as more economic and cultural opportunities have emerged in cities like Accra. Indeed, the country’s capital, Accra, is the place to be for expats. It is a city of around 2.5 million and is the largest urban region in Ghana. It is generally safe for locals and tourists and is exciting for expats of all generations.

Is moving to Ghana easy?

If you want to move to Ghana, to live and work, you may be wondering whether the process is difficult. Well, as with any travel or emigration arrangements there are many time-consuming and complex processes to undertake before you can finally get started.

The process will also depend on your own situation. Have you been to Ghana before? Do you know your way around? Do you have family and friends living there? Do you already have a job secured in Ghana? If you answered Yes! to all these questions then moving to Ghana might be quite simple.

However, if you have no family or professional ties to Ghana then your moving experience is bound to be more complicated. The situation will also depend on whether you are looking to work and study in Ghana, rather than spend a few months on the beach.

The best way to prepare is by doing plenty of research before you pack your bags. Organise your documents and contact your friends, family and colleagues in Ghana. Try to sort out your health insurance, accommodation and employment before you move. Once you have organised these practical elements then you will be able to enjoy your moving experience.

Learn about Ghana: When is Ghana’s Independence Day?

Ghana’s independence day is held every year on the 6th of March. The day is observed as an official national holiday and many Ghanaians have the day off work.

Ghanaians and those within the Ghanaian diaspora living abroad take the day to celebrate the Heroes of Ghana who helped the country achieve independence from Britain in 1957. It is a non-working day and a flag flying day observed throughout the country in a variety of ways.

After the Second World War Britain’s power of its colonies around the world began to weaken. This was especially true in Ghana, where a fierce anti-colonial atmosphere had been building for years. Kwame Nkrumah began to lead the United Gold Coast government as the first Prime Minister of the Gold Coast. He served for 5 years as Prime Minister before Ghana became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence, at which time Kwame Nkrumah became the first Prime Minister of Ghana.

On 6 March 1957 Prime Minister Nkrumah told the people of Ghana about their freedom, saying that the African People are capable of managing their own affairs and Ghana, our beloved country, is free forever. In 1960 Kwame Nkrumah shed the Prime Minister office to become the President of Ghana. Since then the 6th of March has been a national holiday to celebrate Ghana’s independence.

How can I immigrate to Ghana?

So, let’s take a look at the logistics of moving to Ghana. The steps you need to take will depend on whether you are moving to Ghana for work, to live with family or to retire.

If you are able to find a job in Ghana you will apply for both a work permit and a residence permit. Below we’ve provided you with a list of required documents that will your application process easier:

• Passport
• Completed Work Permit and Residence Form

• Two Identity Photo

• Family Certificates

• National Identity Card

• Police Certificate

• Medical report

• Health insurance or proof of travel insurance

• Evidence of Financial Means

• Authorised Recipient Form

• Evidence of Temporary Stay

• Detailed Itinerary

• Accommodation Reservations

• Employment contract and a Employer Permission Letter

This is a standard list of documents that you will need to have if you want to secure any kind of residence permit or visa for Ghana.

What is the best way to send money to Ghana?

Small World is a leading money transfer service created to help you and millions of others send money internationally. If you want to support your family and friends so they can enjoy life in Ghana too,, then Small World has got you covered.

Our money transfer services to Ghana include Mobile Wallet, Airtime top-up, Cash Pickup and Bank Deposit. With this service you can easily, securely and quickly send money overseas without any hassle.

Our local bank partners in Ghana include CBG, Airtel Tigo, Zeepay, MTN, Tigo, Airtel, Vodafone and many more. Our strong connections with bank partners like these have helped us deliver a fast and reliable money transfer service to millions of customers. If you want to help your loved ones this year you can rely on Small World.

Your first digital transaction is always free of transfer fees!

Support your family with Small World.