WHY LIVE IN GHANA???

Ghana is a very friendly country; the people are generally very helpful and welcoming.

They have a rich culture and a stable political system.The country is beautiful and expats can enjoy golf, tennis, swimming, squash, rugby, football and horse riding here.
Worth visiting are the lovely beach resorts, old forts and palaces, waterfalls, nature reserves, and the Kakum Canopy walkway suspended above tropical forest. Normal precautions against crime should be taken.
Medical
Medical facilities in Ghana may not be up to international standards. Cash is expected for general and specialised care, so health insurance is recommended. Pharmacies may not be sufficiently supplied, and if you are under treatment prior to departure, you should bring all your medications and prescription drugs with you (in their original containers).
You should not drink tap water, and avoid eating food from street vendors.

Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory, as are vaccines against hepatitis A and B. Anti-malarial drugs should be taken and precautions against insect bites are recommended.

Bank AccountsVisa cards are accepted in the largest hotels only. You can check the Visa or MasterCard ATM locator page to know whether there are any ATMs in Ghana and to check their location. As there are only a few ATMs, you should have cash with you, but only what you need for the day.
To open a bank account, a passport and a proof of address are required. Some banks may also ask for proof of earnings, employer references, previous banking records and even a Justice of the Peace.Money transfers are possible. More details are available on the Ghana International Bank website. Banks operating in Ghana are also listed on the Ghana website home page.
Finding a Property
In Accra, accommodation demand is higher than supply and it might be difficult to find a proper place to rent. When renting a place, to check that the landlord you meet when signing a contract is truly the owner. It is possible to find unfurnished villas for around 1,876 euros per month. Residential neighbourhoods are Cantonments, Labone, Airport-ouest, and East Legon. Real estate agencies might have very expensive fees. Sign an inventory before paying a one-year rent deposit. It is advisable to hire a porter to keep your house secure.

Travel

Road conditions are improving. Accra and Tema are linked via a 30-kilometre-long highway. To travel in the country, you should have a four-wheel drive. If you want to drive your own car, you can use an international driver's licence. Driving here can be risky.


Domestic flights by Antrak Air and City Link provide connections between Accra, Kumasi and Tamale.

Working in Ghana

Pay & Benefits

In 1991, a Tripartite Commission established minimum standards for wages and working conditions. As of February 2011, the minimum wage was fixed at 3.73 Cedis per day. The average annual salary was at 397 Cedis. By law, the maximum workweek is 45 hours.

Taxes

A fiscal year starts the 1st of January and ends the 31st of December. Anyone living and working in Ghana must pay personal income tax. Employees have their taxes deducted directly from their wages, and must also declare the total amount of their incomes once a year. The tax is deducted according to the income group. The top personal income-tax rate is 30% for anyone earning over 3,400 euros per year. Otherwise the rate ranges from 2% to 30%. For more information, try the tax office in Accra.

Visas

A business visa is required to work in Ghana, and permits to stay for visits of up to three months. Visa requirements are subject to change at any time. You should check with the High Commission for the Republic of Ghana and its consulates for up-to-date information. Whenever a foreigner wants to work in Ghana, the employment contract has to be declared to the local authorities to be granted an authorization. The agreement is needed before entering Ghana.

Living in Ghana

Cost of Living

Note: Ghana redenominated its currency in July 2007. The new currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GH¢), and the transfer rate is 1 Ghanaian Cedi for 10,000 old Cedi.


In April 2008, 1 EUR = 2.22 GH¢ and 1 USD = 1.510 GH¢. The new Ghanaian cedi is now the strongest currency in Africa. For the currency exchange rate: www.xe.com
Here are some prices for common expenditures:
Internet : 95 cedis ghanéens/month for 512 KB (Vodafone)
Annual School Fees: 15,205 USD (average yearly tuition) + inscription fees (Lincoln Community School, Accra)

REFERENCE:www.michaelpageafrica.com

Restaurants : 16 – 18 GH¢ (average price)

www.westfieldsrealestate.com