Ghana
GHAGhana stands out in West Africa as one of the continent's most stable democracies, with English as its official language and a relatively open business environment. A landmark draw for the African diaspora is the Right of Abode programme, introduced under the 2000 Ghana Citizenship Act, which entitles persons of African descent to live and work in Ghana indefinitely without a visa. The 'Year of Return' initiative launched in 2019 has further accelerated diaspora engagement, driving investment and tourism from African-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, and others tracing their roots to the region. Accra offers growing expat infrastructure, improving broadband connectivity, and a low cost of living relative to Western cities, making Ghana an increasingly attractive base for remote workers and investors of African heritage.
→ If you hold a Ghana passport, see the Ghana nationality guidePassport Rank
#75
Visa-Free
64
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Accra
- Currency
- Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
- Languages
- English
- Population
- 33,475,870
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical; warm and comparatively dry along the southeast coast; hot and humid in the southwest; hot and dry in the north
- English Proficiency Rank
- #35
Indices
Cost of Living
38
Safety
52
Healthcare
39
Quality of Life
46
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accra | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kumasi | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tamale | — | — | — | — | — |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Accra
Rainfall range: 10–170 mm/month · Daylight 11.5h (winter) to 12.5h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist
- Business
- Work
- Investor (GIPC)
- Student
- Family
- Residence Permit
- Authority
- Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)
- Official Portal
- www.gis.gov.gh
- Phone
- +233 302 258 250
- info@gis.gov.gh
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 7
- Language Test
- Yes (English)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $250
- Processing
- ~12 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#61
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Advance-fee (419-style) fraud targeting foreign investors and diaspora returnees
- ⚠Fake gold or mineral deals offering below-market prices to lure buyers
- ⚠Romance scams conducted via social media and dating apps by organised networks
Examples of areas to avoid: Agbogbloshie (Accra) — dense informal settlement with elevated petty crime, Nima (Accra) — higher incidence of street crime after dark
Related Guides
Sources & last verified
- Last verified 2026-06-15