ACCE 2009 Accra Conference

Kotoka International Airport in the capital city, Accra, is the international airport for Ghana and is served by the major international airlines.

Smaller planes commute on a daily basis from Accra to the other major cities/towns – Kumasi, Sunyani and Tamale.

Air & Road Travel

Many airlines fly in and out of Kotoka International Airport.

Some of the more widely used are the following:

· Ghana International Airlines – Direct from London

· Kenya Airways - Mainly from East & West Africa (Hub: Nairobi)

· Virgin Nigeria – Mainly from West Africa (Hub: Lagos)

· Royal Maroc Airlines – Mainly from North Africa & Europe (Hub: Casablanca)

· Emirates – Worldwide (Hub: Dubai)

· British Airways – Worldwide (Hub: London)

· KLM – Worldwide (Hub: Amsterdam)

· Lufthansa – Worldwide (Hub: Frankfurt)

· Delta Airways – Direct from New York.

· South African Airways (Hub: Johannesburg)

It is also possible to travel by road from neighbouring countries; i.e., Burkina Faso (capital: Ouagadougou), Cote d’Ivoire (capital: Abidjan), Benin (capital: Cotonou) Nigeria (capital: Abuja), and Togo (capital: Lome).

In some cases, it may be practical to consider combining air and road travel. For example, it may be convenient to travel by air to Lome and then drive from Lome to Accra (total driving time: approximately 3 hours on a mainly good road). Those who have time to take in more of the country may also, as another example, fly in to Ouagadougou, travel some four hours by road to Tamale and then catch the 45-minute daily flight from there to Accra (or travel another 10-12 hours by bus or rented car).

Entry Requirements and Visa Information for Ghana

A valid passport and an entry visa are required to enter Ghana. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival and are required by all except nationals of ECOWAS, Kenya and Singapore. Visas can be obtained and extended in Ghana, especially for those who wish to stay beyond the conference period.

Note: You may be refused entry on a passport that is due to expire within six months of your departure date.

If you are applying for a visa at the Ghana diplomatic mission in your place of residence, you may quote the following names as references:

(1) Mr Akunu DAKE, Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Development, P. 0. BOX CT 1780
Accra, Ghana. Tel. (+233 -21) 760441, 770808. Fax: (+233 -21) 760441

(2) Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo, Director, School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 53, Legon, Accra. Tel. (+233 -21) 500693, 512589,

Fax: (+233 -21) 500693

For countries without Ghana High Commissions and Embassies, the Event Manager will apply for a visa on your behalf. The visa will be issued on arrival. The single entry visa fee is U$100, to be paid at the point of entry.

Participants who wish for entry visas to be applied on their behalf should provide a copy of their scanned passport biodata page to the Event Manager by email adake@africaonline.com.gh or Fax: (+233 -21) 760441. The following information will be necessary and this should be emailed or faxed:

FULL NAME (MARK SURNAME AS BOLD):

DATE OF BIRTH:
PLACE OF BIRTH:
NATIONALITY:
PASSPORT NUMBER:
DATE PASSPORT ISSUED:
EXPIRY DATE OF PASSPORT:
DATE AND TIME OF ARRIVAL:
AIRLINE AND FLIGHT NUMBER:

Transportation

The main hotels (Erata Hotel and the Ange Hill hotel) provide a courtesy bus service from the Airport and back. Let the Conference Event Manager know of your arrival date, time and airline and you will be assisted in the regard. The Conference Event Manager will arrange for airport pick ups for all other accredited participants and they will be informed directly. Please also send your itinerary to the Event Manager.

Free Bus transportation to conference events and shuttles from hotels and other accommodation units to conference venue and back will be provided. (Bus Schedules will be announced)

Taxis and mini-buses (”trotros”) are readily available in Accra. The taxis are not metered, so inquire first about going rates from knowledgeable sources like your hotel concierge or from the Conference Secretariat Staff.

General Information

Insurance

Participants are advised to obtain supplementary medical/travel insurance. However, good public and private medical facilities in Ghana provide for essential medical needs. First-aid services will be available at the conference venue.

Vaccination requirements and medical facilities

For information about vaccination requirements and health information for travellers please consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/ith/countries/gha/en/.

Climate

Ghana’s low latitude and proximity to the equator give it a typically tropical climate. Temperatures approach or exceed 30 degrees (80 Fahrenheit) most days of the year, with virtually no seasonal variation. The month of August is classified as the “coldest” month – 22-27˚C. Accra tends to receive less rain than other areas. (The main conference venue and hotel rooms are air conditioned. The Jubilee Post Graduate Hall flats and hostel rooms are not air-conditioned. They have ceiling fans)

Time Zone: GMT

Currency

The official currency is the Ghana Cedi (GH¢) (Cedi pronounced See Dee).

Current rates vary. The current forex bureau rate for the US Dollar is about GH¢1.5 to US$1.00.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at any foreign exchange bureau. Banks are open weekdays from 8.30 am. – 3.00 p.m.

It is possible to access funds, though with a limit, through their and other ATMs.

Credits cards are not widely used in Ghana, although they are of use in Accra. Most hotels prefer cash payments.

The main Conference hotels (Erata and Ange Hill Hotels) accept credit cards payments, though with a surcharge. All the other accommodation units only take cash payments.

Plan on bringing much of your budget in the form of travellers’ cheques and cash, particularly if you plan to spend time outside the capital city, Accra. Note, though, that the exchange rate for travellers’ cheques is lower. Also, the farther away you move from Accra, the harder it may be to change travellers’ cheques.

Telecommunications

Five reliable telecommunications networks are available in Ghana (two fixed and four mobile). Ghana country code is +233. Local SIM cards are very reasonable – sometimes, as low as USD 1 – and you may want get one for your cell phone when you arrive.

The main hotels (Erata and Ange Hill hotels) have wireless Internet connectivity. The other accommodation units do not have wireless Internet connectivity. The conference will also provide cyber café and wireless internet connectivity for delegates at the Conference venue.

Safety

Ghanaians pride themselves on being some of the friendliest people in the world, and the level of crime against visitors/tourists is remarkably low. However, like any other country or metropolitan city, normal precautions are still advisable.

Electricity

Electricity is 220V AC at 50 cycles. Stabilizers are required for sensitive devices, and adapters are required for appliances using 110V.