A Warm Welcome and a Few Things to Know First

Relocating to Ghana is exciting, but the smoothest moves start with clarity. Over the years, Akka Kappa has supported hundreds of corporate assignees, embassy teams, NGO professionals, and families. We know the questions you will ask before you land, and the little details that can make your first days either stressful or seamless.

This guide highlights what every expat should know and how we make the process calm, compliant, and completely you.

 

Before You Arrive: Setting Expectations at Kotoka International Airport

Your journey into Accra begins at Kotoka International Airport, Terminal 3. Have your passport, visa, and vaccination records ready for health checks and immigration. Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for all travellers over nine months of age.

If you are bringing pets, be prepared with an import permit, veterinary certificates, and the required lab tests. Food imports are restricted. Dairy, fresh fruit, vegetables, and similar items often require permits or FDA registration. Without clearance, items may be confiscated at the airport.

When you exit arrivals, plan ahead for transport. Uber and taxis in Accra are usually small saloon cars, which may not fit a family and all your luggage. Many assignees arrange a larger vehicle in advance through their company or relocation partner.

The Ghanaian cedi (GHS) is the only legal tender. A licensed forex bureau is located just outside the airport for immediate exchanges. Avoid street dealers and always keep receipts.

It also helps to stay connected from day one. You can buy a temporary SIM card from providers such as MTN or Telecel Ghana at the airport or in the city. You will need to show your passport for registration, after which you can load airtime and data bundles. Having mobile data ready makes navigation, ride hailing, and settling in much easier.

Finally, note that Accra has a tropical climate with its main rainy season stretching from April to August. Light clothing, breathable fabrics, and a compact rain jacket will serve you well. And do not hesitate to greet people with a warm Akwaaba, which means welcome.

 

 

Understanding Accra Traffic

Another reality newcomers quickly notice is traffic in Accra. Even though most expat neighborhoods sit within a 10-kilometer radius, the city’s congestion means that moving from one place to another can take much longer than the map suggests.

At peak times, mornings, evenings, and especially during the rainy season, a short 10-minute drive can stretch to 30 to 45 minutes or more. Part of the challenge is that while new roads are being built to ease congestion, ongoing construction often slows traffic even further.

This is why choosing the right neighborhood is not just about lifestyle, but also about proximity to the places you need most, your office, your children’s school, and daily amenities.

Is Ghana Safe for Expats?

One of the questions we hear most frequently from expats, often shared as a concern before arrival, has to do with security.

Overall, Ghana is considered one of the safest and most politically stable countries in West Africa. Violent crime is relatively rare compared to many regional peers, and most expats live and move around comfortably.

That said, as in any major city, petty theft and opportunistic incidents can occur in crowded places or late at night. The key is awareness. Secure your home, avoid displaying valuables, and use trusted transport options.

Most expat neighborhoods such as Cantonments, Airport Residential, Labone, and East Legon benefit from gated compounds, private security, and reliable facility management, which further reassures residents.

At Akka Kappa, we guide clients to communities that provide not just comfort and convenience, but also peace of mind for them and their families spend less time in the car and more time enjoying their new life in Accra.

 

 

Finding the Right Neighborhood for Your Lifestyle

Most of Accra’s prime residential areas for expats sit within a 10-kilometer radius of the city centre. These include Airport Residential, Cantonments, Labone, Ridge, and East Legon. All are well served with supermarkets, restaurants, and international schools, making day to day life convenient for assignees and their families.

In recent years, Cantonments has stood out for the variety of amenities on offer, from cafés and gyms to quality clinics and several embassies, all within a safe and central setting.

East Legon has grown into a fast-developing hub of its own. The area is packed with new shops, malls, and lifestyle options. However, it is further from the main business districts and traffic congestion is a common challenge during peak hours.

Ridge is quieter and less developed compared to these other neighborhoods, but it offers spacious homes and a calm environment close to Accra’s business districts. The tradeoff is that it lacks shops and restaurants, meaning residents often drive to nearby Cantonments or Osu for daily conveniences.

The best neighborhood is the one where location, convenience, and lifestyle come together in a way that supports daily life.

 

Property Types You Will Actually Find in Accra

One of the first things newcomers often tell us is “We would love a nice house with a private garden.” It is a dream many expats arrive with, but in Accra’s rental market, that is more of an illusion than a reality.

Decent, well maintained self-compound homes in Accra, standalone houses with private yards, are very limited, especially in central areas like Cantonments and Airport Residential. When they do appear, they are often older and rarely in the fully refurbished condition new arrivals imagine.

Instead, the housing supply has shifted.

• Townhouses in Cantonments and Ridge are more common, but very few new townhouse projects have been developed compared to apartments.
• Apartments in Airport Residential, Labone, and East Legon dominate the market, with most new developments taking this form.

There is also a noticeable difference between older and newer projects. Older compounds often provide larger floor areas, gardens, and outdoor space, while many recently built apartments sacrifice greenery to maximize unit numbers.

Furnished apartments are far easier to find than furnished townhouses. Truly refurbished, move in ready properties in Accra are rare. Most homes will show signs of use, and it is best to plan for a professional cleaning or some minor fixes before moving in.

At Akka Kappa, we prepare clients for this reality early, so expectations are aligned and every property shown feels like a genuine option, not a disappointment.

 

 

Three Fun Facts About Ghana

1. Ghana is famous for its cocoa and is one of the world’s largest exporters, producing some of the highest quality beans that go into luxury chocolate brands around the globe.
2. The word Akwaaba means welcome in Twi, and you will hear it often, as hospitality is deeply woven into Ghanaian culture.
3. Ghana is home to Lake Volta, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, stretching over 8,000 square kilometers.

 

How Akka Kappa Makes Relocation Effortless

• Pre arrival consultation and orientation tailored to your lifestyle
• Neighborhood and property matching with commute mapping
• Settling in support covering schools, utilities, banking, and staffing
• Move in day management with snagging, inventory, and quick fixes

With us, you do not just move to Accra, you land prepared.

Ready to make your relocation effortless? Contact Akka Kappa at +233 (0)54 012 2800 or info@akkakappaghana.com

 

Sources and references

• Ghana Immigration Service permits (work, residence, dependants): Official guidance and service pages for expat permits and timelines. Ghana GIS
• Expat Arrivals Moving to and Living in Ghana: Up-to-date overview of expat neighborhoods, security, and utilities. Expat Arrivals
• Numbeo: Cost of Living in Accra (updated Sep 2025): Current basket prices and indices to support “moderate to high” cost-of-living statements. Numbeo
• Bank of Ghana: Summary of Economic & Financial Data (July 2025): Payment systems section shows widespread mobile-money adoption and trends. Bank of Ghana
• Lincoln Community School — Admissions: Admissions steps, documents, and placement guidance for planning timelines. LCS Ghana
• Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana – regulations on importing food and agricultural products: https://fdaghana.gov.gh 
• National Communications Authority (NCA) – SIM card registration requirements for MTN and Telecel Ghana: https://nca.org.gh
• Ghana Statistical Service – urbanisation and population data: https://statsghana.gov.gh
• Expat Arrivals – neighbourhood insights and expat living in Accra: https://www.expatarrivals.com