TRAVEL AND VISAS
Delegates are responsible for organising and paying for their travel to the venue. If this is challenging for you, please see our Bursary Scheme.
It is the responsibility of each delegate to arrange their visa, if necessary, for entry to Ghana.
Travel Requirements
Sherpa° is a guide to getting the right travel documentation and understanding up-to-date travel requirements, which you may find helpful.
Travel Restrictions (joinsherpa.com)
Visa Requirements
Please note that successful registration to the ICERDA conference DOES NOT guarantee entry to Ghana.
Delegates are responsible for ensuring that they have all necessary up to date travel documentation, including visas and other entry permits, and they comply with all health formalities and applicable laws in any country that they are travelling through and for Ghana. For more information, see Ghana Visa Types, Requirements, and Application (visaguide.world) The University of Cape Coast, The Open University, ICERDA and collaborators are not responsible for arranging or obtaining delegates’ travel visas.
Some countries in West Africa (ECOWAS member states) and some other countries in Africa are exempted from obtaining a visa before entering Ghana. It is your responsibility to check if this applies to you.
Nationals from African Union member states, who are not ECOWAS nationals, may obtain a visa on arrival after the payment of the required fees. The following links provide further information: Permits and Visas – Ghana Immigration Service (gis.gov.gh) and Apply For A Ghana Visa On Arrival | Ghana Travel Visa (africandiasporagroup.com) Again, it is your responsibility to check if this applies to you and what you need to do.
Visa requirements vary from embassy to embassy, so check with your local office for the exact requirements where you live. The following link provides further information.
Ghanaian Missions Abroad – DIASPORA AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
The following notes give an idea of what may be required for your visa application, but please check with your local office.
Travelers are advised to apply for a single-entry visa no more than 30 days before the intended departure date.
Single entry visas are valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Typically, the following documents are needed for a visa application, but please check with your local office.
A valid passport (at least 6 months).
Travel documents or travel itinerary.
Invitation letter.
Proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever taken at least ten days before the proposed date of departure to Ghana.
Valid travel insurance.
Evidence of financial means.
Proof of accommodation.
Proof of a booked return flight ticket
Contact the embassy/consulate of Ghana and book a visa appointment.
Submit all the required documents to the Embassy of Ghana.
Locate Process for Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160.
Fill the form online or apply through any of the following that are suitable for you
It is strongly recommended that participants apply for visas as early as possible.
Invitation Letter
ICERDA is happy to provide a formal invitation letter to delegates in order to support their visa application.
To ensure we can provide the letter most efficiently, and to ensure the application has the most chance of success, please send an email to icerda@ucc.edu.gh with the following information:
Your name (as per your passport)
Date of birth
Passport number
Your title/affiliation
The title of your presentation/poster
Proof of registration
Address of the local Ghanaian High Commission/Embassy – please check details here Ghanaian Missions Abroad – DIASPORA AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Mandatory Vaccines
Yellow fever - A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged nine months and over, who have travelled from or transited through countries with a risk of yellow fever infection. Please check if you require a vaccination.
Please also check with your GP, travel clinics, pharmacies and other healthcare providers for up-to-date and reliable information on recommended vaccines.
Health Declaration Form
The COVID-19 health declaration form for international travellers to Ghana was suspended with effect from May 20, 2023. Please check with your airline for any updates before travelling.
Travel Insurance
It is the sole responsibility of the Delegate and/or the third party who registered the delegate to ensure that they are properly insured which should include adequate Personal Accident and Travel insurance prior to attending any Event requiring travel abroad. As a matter of good order, the Delegate should also ensure that they have Employer’s Liability and/or Public Liability insurance cover as is most appropriate.
Useful Information
Region: West Africa
Capital: Accra
Climate: The climate of Ghana is tropical. The eastern coastal belt is warm and comparatively dry, the south-west corner of Ghana is hot and humid, and the north of Ghana is hot and dry. Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea, only a few degrees north of the Equator, giving it a warm climate.
Currency: Ghana cedi (GH₵) (GHS)
Standard Time Zone: GMT (UTC+0)
Drive On The: Right
International Dialling Code: +233
Geography: Ghana borders Cote d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
Electricity: In Ghana the power sockets are of type D and G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.