Akwaaba! You are about to land in a country of warm people, lively markets, and weather that keeps you on your toes. As experts in the matter, this Ghana packing list is written like a friend who has already lived through the first sweaty, rainy, dusty, and delicious weeks so you can avoid rookie mistakes.
Below you will find practical packing advice, things you should leave at home, and all the things you should take with you (and why). In our website you’ll also find essential information about all you need to know about Ghana.
Travel to Ghana Checklist: What do you need?
1. Medical Kit and Prescription Medication
Bring more than a handful of plasters and some paracetamol. Pack a well-rounded medical kit with painkillers, antihistamines, oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrheal medicine, a digital thermometer, anti-itch cream, and insect bite treatment. If you rely on prescription medication, bring at least three months of supply plus a doctor’s note and the generic names, because brand names in Ghana may differ.
Yellow fever vaccination is required for most arrivals and you will often be asked for your yellow fever card on entry. Pharmacies in Accra are plentiful, but once you travel north they get more basic.
You might also want to check:
2. Footwear for Streets and Trails
The traditional Chale Wote slippers
You will want one sturdy, closed-toe pair for market days, farm visits, or hiking, and one comfortable pair of sandals for everyday life. Streets in some neighbourhoods are uneven and the rainy season can quickly turn blocks into muddy paths, so think practical. High-end sandals and branded trainers are available but cost more than in Europe or the US.
The festival Chale Wote gave name to a famous Accra street arts festival and you will see vibrant, locally made Chale Wote slippers and shoes at market stalls during festival season.
3. What to Wear in Ghana
The colorful kente cloth, a super traditional item in Ghana
Ghana is warm year-round, with average temperatures between 25°C and 32°C (77°F to 90°F) so focus on breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, loose-fitting tops, and knee-length bottoms for cultural comfort.
Pack a couple of, modest, semi-formal outfits if you plan to attend church services, weddings, or office meetings. For evenings, lightweight layers may suffice because coastal nights are milder. For women, avoid overly revealing clothes in public unless you’re on the beach.
During Harmattan season you will experience dry, dusty wind from the Sahara that can make the air feel cooler in the mornings and evenings. Bring a light scarf or dust mask if you are sensitive to dry air.
You’ll soon be aware that Kente cloth is not just fashion. It carries symbolic patterns used in ceremonies and can be a great gift or keepsake.
4. Rain Gear and Weather-Ready Items
You will see dramatic, sudden rain showers especially during the rainy seasons. A compact umbrella and a lightweight waterproof jacket will make life easier than hunting for them in local shops after a downpour. Waterproof bags or dry sacks for electronics and important documents are worth carrying if you plan to commute by trotro or moto.
Some areas flood quickly after heavy rain. Locals will tell you which streets to avoid during the downpour and how to cross puddles without soaking your shoes.
5. Toiletries and Personal Care
Africana Black Soap
If you have strong preferences for skincare or hygiene brands, bring them with you. Tampons and certain specialist feminine hygiene products are limited and often expensive.
African Black Soap and raw shea butter are great local alternatives for skin care and are produced by women’s cooperatives in northern Ghana, which is a meaningful way to support local communities.
Shea butter is often traded in local markets and many Ghanaians use it not just for skin but for hair care and traditional remedies. Many Ghanaians use shea butter during Harmattan to keep skin supple.
6. Sunscreen and Insect Protection
Sunscreen is expensive and not always easy to find in all pharmacies. Mosquitoes are part of daily life, so bring a reliable repellent and, if you want extra protection, a treated mosquito net for sleeping. Bed nets are widely available but bringing your own gives immediate peace of mind.
Mosquitoes are more active during the rainy season and in coastal mangrove areas. Locals use natural remedies against mosquito bites such as burn dried orange peels to help keep insects away in outdoor evening gatherings.
7. Tech, Power and Connectivity
Bring an unlocked phone so you can use a local SIM for cheap data. Power outages are still common in many areas, so a good power bank and a solar charger will save you from dead batteries at inconvenient moments. Ghana uses Type G plugs and 230V, so bring adapters and check whether you need a voltage converter for certain appliances.
When loadshedding happens, Ghanaians call it dumsor and businesses often advertise generators, battery backup, or solar options on their shop fronts.
8. Laptop, Work Essentials and Remote Work Tips
If you need a laptop, bring a reliable one plus cables and a surge protector. Internet quality varies by area and time of day; consider getting both a fibre/home connection for stability and a mobile data backup for remote work. Keep important documents backed up to cloud storage and save copies offline in case connectivity is patchy.
Coworking spaces in Accra have grown and you can find vibrant hubs where entrepreneurs and freelancers meet, especially around Osu and Airport Residential Area. Here’s also some valuable tips if you’re working remote and need to build a home office in your Accra home.
9. Bedding, Towels and Home Comforts
If you are particular about sheets, pillows, or towels, bring them. Local bedding is available but thread count and fabric can differ from what you are used to. A travel pillow and a compact cotton sheet can be lifesavers for the first week.
Many expatriates find local tailors and seamstresses excellent and affordable for making or altering household linens and clothes once they have settled in. To get acquainted with the local shops, check the best places in Accra for home decor.
10. Water, Hydration and Food Safety
Tap water is not consistently safe to drink. A good reusable bottle plus a portable filter will reduce plastic waste and help you feel secure on the go. For home, many people use jerry cans or water deliveries from trusted suppliers for drinking water.
Sachet water, known locally as pure water, is widely sold everywhere. It is convenient and cheap but not as eco-friendly as a refillable filter bottle.
11. Daypack, Security and Mobility
A daypack is more than fashion; it is useful for market runs, trips to the beach, and short excursions. Look for a bag with a secure zip and an internal pocket for your documents. If you use a motorbike taxi, sling bags and small backpacks are easier to manage than bulky suitcases.
The woven “Ghana must go” bag is ubiquitous and was historically used for moving goods. It is cheap, durable, and still widely used for markets and travel.
12. Food, Ingredients and Eating Preferences
The delicious jollof rice
Ghanaian food is rich and varied. If you follow a particular diet or need specialist ingredients, bring a supply with you. Basic supermarkets carry some imports, and Accra has specialty stores, but rural areas are limited. Trying local staples like banku, kenkey, waakye, and jollof rice is part of the cultural experience.
13. Books, Documents and Official Paperwork
Bring printed and digital copies of your passport, visa, yellow fever certificate, driver’s license, academic certificates, work contracts, and insurance papers. Scan everything and keep copies on the cloud and on an SD card or USB drive.
Ghanaian immigration and other offices can be bureaucratic and slow. Having neatly organised documents will make appointments and registrations far smoother. Also, be informed about the non-citizen Ghana Card Registration.
Ghana Packing List: What to Leave at Home
For starters, you can skip heavy winter coats, large furniture, and fragile heirlooms that could be damaged during shipping. These are items you shouldn’t consider while making your Ghana packing list:
Winter Clothing
Unless you’re traveling to Ghana from another African country that has cold weather, leave your coats, gloves, and boots behind. Even in the cooler months, Ghana never gets cold enough for winter wear. If you bring along one or two sweaters / jean jackets / light weight jackets, it will be more than enough!
High Heels and Formal Shoes You Rarely Wear
Sidewalks are uneven and streets dusty, so unless you attend formal events regularly, leave your stilettos and dress shoes behind. One pair of dressy shoes will suffice.
Ghanaian tailors can create custom outfits in the mid-price range, so many people prefer to bring patterns or fabric preferences and have clothes made locally.
Excessive Furniture or Kitchen Appliances
Shipping large household items can be expensive and unnecessary. Ghana has local craftsmen and markets where you can buy furniture, and basic appliances like kettles, blenders, and gas cookers are widely available.
Delicate or High-Maintenance Fabrics
Avoid packing clothes that require dry cleaning or are easily ruined by sweat and dust. Stick to fabrics that are machine washable, breathable, and can handle a little wear and tear.
But Ghana is the place for fabrics! You can take advantage and even make your own clothes here which is so much cheaper than actually going to any store and buying clothes. From the famous African print, Batik cloth, or Kente, you will find a lot of variety!
Overly Sentimental or Irreplaceable Items
Between the climate, occasional travel, and sometimes unpredictable shipping or storage conditions, it’s best not to bring valuables you can’t afford to lose. Sentimental jewelry, heirlooms, or fragile collectibles are best kept safe back home.
For more information, check our 30-day guide to settling in Ghana. Welcome to Ghana—your new home awaits!
