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THE CITIZENSHIP DESK

Ghana

GHA

Ghana 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 guide

Passport 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 →

Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
CityRent 1BR centreRent outsideGroceriesUtilitiesTransit pass
Accra
Kumasi
Tamale

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Accra

27°J
28°F
28°M
27°A
26°M
25°J
24°J
24°A
25°S
26°O
27°N
27°D

Rainfall range: 10170 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
Email
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