Welcome to Touring Ghana

Miscellaneous

 Greetings
Greeting is a form of hospitality the Ghanaian adore. Use your right hand in receiving or giving out things. The use of the left hand is considered an insult in Ghana.Do not also point the left hand at people or greet with it.

As much as possible avoid fondling your partner in public or any intimate physical contact in public; this might result in kissing in the streets. It is considered unacceptable and impolite behavior. It is a showing off and bad for the morals of the youth.

If you wish to make a gift or any kind of food to anyone, hand it over to the person. Do not throw or leave them on the floor for the person to pickup. It is considered degrading.
Avoid making racist remarks! Ghanaians are of discrimination, however subtle. The naturally hospitable Ghanaian could turn very hostile indeed, when he is made to feel second-class in his own country!

It is considered bad manners also to make any open distinctions in class, age or sex in public. Be appreciative of persons who appreciate you. Ghanaians like foreigners and wish to express their feelings openly and to make friends.
If for any reason you wish to present a gift to your hosts (or someone else) do not worry about what may be considered appropriate. Whatever you think fit would normally be appreciated. Alternatively some amount of money would do. This could be discreetly presented to the person.
Do not go out with every person who invites you to a night out. If you do not sufficiently trust the person, invite a colleague or a member of your host family to come along.

If for any reason you would be returning very late at night to your residence at a host family home, inform your host in advance.
Be discreet about your sex life. Visible evidence of several on - going relationships is frowned upon and interpreted as lewd behavior.

Food items left in the fridge at the host family home such as tins of milk or chocolates might be used or eaten by the kids. Do not take offence, Ghanaians like sharing most things; but be wary.

SECURITY

Be security concious! Keep your personal effects safely tucked away in your locker or bag after retiring for the day. There might be thieves at the hotel, beach or even at your host family home. Valuable items such as cash, mobile phones, cameras, wrist watches, shoes and passports are common targets for the petty thief and the mugger.

Greeting Courtesies

Ghanaians greet with a handshake and a click of the fingers; don't let this put you off. It is a show of appreciation and friendship. Respond to any such handshake, using your right hand.

When you are invited to a gathering, you must make an effort to greet the people you meet on your arrival. In doing so, do not just greet only the person known to you, you must greet everyone. Begin from person seated on your right and proceed left-wards towards the last person.
While it is not obligatory that you should greet every other person you meet in the street, you should do well to respond to greetings from others. It is considered disrespectful and spiteful not to return greetings by other people.

Economics

Most things sold in the market place or by street hawkers have no fixed prices. To obtain the best bargain, try haggling off a few cedis. You might succeed in cutting the price by as much as a third or more. It is not an unexpected part of the market regime, and can be fun.

Tipping Policy

There is no regulation on tipping in Ghana. The practice is generally governed by the local cuts of gift- giving in appreciation of good service. Thus tips which could be in cash or kind are given for any good service. Local people usually expect it . No sums can be prescribed. The value of the tip is optional, depending on individual generosity, but should be fairly commensurate with the level of service rendered. At the airport or harbour, it is useful policy to first ask if a porter has a charge for his services. If he specifies a charge, you could afford to do wihtout may be left as tips for bar attendants, stewards or cleaners at hotels. Tips may be given in the local or the giver's own currency. Children who solicit for alms or gifts and general begging should at best be ignored to discourage them from begging.