Domestic help keeps many Accra homes running: cleaners, cooks, nannies, drivers, security guards and tutors. Finding domestic help in Accra is relatively common, but the process involves careful planning, trust, and understanding of the local norms. This guide will provide you with a practical approach to hiring trusted domestic staff in Accra, including considerations around contracts, salaries, cultural norms, and more.
Where to Find Domestic Help in Accra
Moving to a new city like Accra can be daunting. From finding out where to shop, all about the city’s neighborhoods or dealing with the decoration of your apartment, you might find it challenging to find reliable domestic staff.
The best place to start is to explore these channels:
Word of Mouth / Referrals
This remains the most trusted method. Ask friends, neighbors, coworkers, or other expatriates if they can recommend someone. Often, domestic workers are hired through personal connections or passed along when someone is relocating or no longer needs their services.
There tends to be WhatsApp groups based on your spoken language. For example, a whatsapp group for French speakers, another one for Spanish speakers and so on.
How can you get to join your correct group? It all depends if you meet one person who is already on that whatsapp group and can request for you to be added. These groups are a great way to find all kinds of information.
If you have kids who go to schools in Accra, you can also take advantage and ask other parents from the school if they may know of anyone.
Online Platforms & Classifieds
You can find domestic help on platforms such as Jiji Ghana or Facebook groups like “Expats in Accra” or “Ghana Intl Expats.” Be cautious with this approach and always interview thoroughly and check references.
Nanny or placement agencies and platforms
There are local agencies (e.g., Trust Box Nanny Agency / TBNA) and international platforms or directories that list vetted candidates and manage screening. Agencies can do much of the vetting for you (reference checks, basic background screening). Expect to pay a placement fee for this convenience
Niche platforms / directories
Sites such as HelperChoice, GreatAupair and other caregiver directories sometimes list Ghana/Accra candidates or offer tools useful for posting roles and managing interviews. These are useful if you want a searchable database of profiles.
What to ask & how to interview
Before the interview: prepare a one-page job brief with duties, hours, salary range, live-in/live-out, expected start date and required documents (ID, references, any certificates).
During the interview (questions):
- Tell me about your last two employers and why you left.
- What are your core duties (cleaning, laundry, cooking, school run, etc.)?
- Can I call your last employer(s)? (Get phone numbers.)
- Are you comfortable with children/pets/driving? Which ages and tasks?
- What is your expected salary and notice period?
- Do you have any medical conditions or restrictions we should know about?
- For nannies: any first-aid or childcare certificates? For drivers: licenses?
Red flags: evasive answers about past jobs, unwillingness to provide references, reluctance to agree to a short trial.
Vetting: references, background checks and trial periods
Due to the personal nature of domestic work, trust is crucial. Here are steps to ensure you’re hiring a reliable person:
Interview Carefully
Ask questions about their experience, expectations, background, and why their last employment ended. For nannies or cooks, ask about certifications or previous households served.
Reference Checks
Always call at least 2 previous employers. Ask about punctuality, honesty, interaction with family, and whether the candidate left on good terms.
Background Checks
Agencies typically help arrange this; private employers can request a police clearance from the CID / Criminal Data Service Bureau (CDSB) in Accra. The CID handles vetting and issues police clearance; there are fees and ID requirements.
If you hire independently and the candidate can’t or won’t get a CBC, treat that as a risk to manage carefully (extra references, longer trial, limited responsibilities).
Trial Period
Negotiate a trial period (2 weeks to 1 month) to observe their work ethic, adaptability, and interaction with family members.
Contracts and Legal Considerations
Although many domestic arrangements are informal, a written contract protects both parties. A good domestic worker contract in Ghana should include:
- Job description
- Working hours and days off
- Salary and payment schedule
- Accommodation and meals (if live-in)
- Annual leave and sick leave
- Termination clause
- Health insurance provision (optional but appreciated)
- Confidentiality and data/privacy (house rules on guests, phones
- Mutual sign-off (employer & employee names, IDs, date)
Ghana’s Labour Act (Act 651) covers domestic workers, but enforcement is inconsistent. However, showing professionalism in the agreement increases mutual respect and long-term stability.
Salaries and Benefits in Accra (2025 Averages)
Salaries depend on experience, duties and whether the role is live-in or live-out. Job listings and marketplace ads commonly show these ballpark ranges (use as starting points and adjust for your neighborhood and responsibilities):
- Cleaner / Housekeeper: Live-in GH₵ 800–1,200 | Live-out GH₵ 1,000–1,500
- Cook: Live-in GH₵ 1,200–2,000 | Live-out GH₵ 1,500–2,500.
- Nanny: Live-in GH₵ 1,000–1,800 | Live-out GH₵ 1,200–2,000
- Driver: GH₵ 1,500–3,000 depending on skill and car maintenance duties.
- Security guard: GH₵ 800–1,500.
- Tutor: GH₵ 50–150 per hour (specialist tutors charge more).
Notes: December bonus (a 13th month or a generous end-of-year bonus) is common; many employees also expect occasional gifts or tokens of thanks. These figures are drawn from current listings on Ghana marketplaces and job boards. Always check live ads in your neighborhood for the most accurate local rates.
Cultural Considerations
Understanding cultural expectations is key to a harmonious household.
- Respect and Titles: Use respectful titles such as “Sister,” “Aunty,” or “Uncle,” especially with older workers.
- Religion: Be mindful of prayer times, religious traditions in Ghana or fasting periods for Muslim or Christian workers.
- Food: If you expect the cook to prepare non-local meals, training or recipe guidance may be necessary.
- Boundaries: Clarify house rules early: phone use during work, guest visits, privacy concerns, etc.
- Language: Many workers speak English, Twi, or Ga. If communication is an issue, consider learning slang and language basics or mutual translation support.
Safety & ethics: treat staff fairly
Good domestic workers are hard to find and harder to keep. Keep these practices in mind:
- Treat fairly and respectfully
- Provide a clean, secure living environment (if live-in)
- Offer bonuses and occasional tokens of appreciation
- Opportunities for training or upskilling (e.g., cooking courses, first aid, etc.)
- Pay on time and provide a consistent day off.
- Ensure live-in workers have decent, lockable sleeping space and privacy.
- Avoid exploitative clauses (excessive hours with no rest). The Labour Act and local regulations define worker rights — be guided by them even if enforcement is uneven.
Expat Tips for Hiring domestic help in Accra
- Learn basic Twi or Ga greetings – it fosters rapport. Check out this article for tips on how to learn the local languages of Ghana.
- Don’t assume staff are unskilled – many have certifications or university degrees.
- Be clear but kind when correcting behavior.
- Be patient during the onboarding period; expect a learning curve.
And if you’re still looking for apartments in Accra, pay us a visit at Green Views Residential and discover our special property at Airport Residential Area.
