5 misconceptions about Ghana that are simply not true

I’m sure when you think of Ghana or West Africa some negative associations cross your mind, especially when you haven’t been there yourself. These links usually come from stories you’ve been told, negative experiences you’ve made yourself, or false images portrayed by the media.

There are men myths about African countries that are believed to be true and I am sure you’re believed one or two of them. Let me tell you, you are not alone! The perception many people have about Africa tends to be misleading or wrong many times.

I am going to dig into five of these misconceptions and explain where they come from.

Ghana is poor & dependent on aid

Yes, you can find poverty in Ghana just like you can in many other African countries. Let’s not be ignorant and pretend like it’s not there. Nevertheless, the country is country is far more complex than that.

The image you usually get portrayed though media is false and far from reality. You see ads displayed about helping starving children that are desperate for your 1€ donation to get a warm meal.

You watch movies about brutal warlords and violent civil wars – all of this feeds into the stereotypes and prejudice.

Let me tell you a little something about Ghana:

Ghana is rated as one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. the country is listed on rand 69 in the world per GDP and steadily growing.

Our beautiful country is one of Africa’s most well-established democracies with a promising future in case of economic wealth and technological development. So don’t trip and feed into the wrong picture.

Everyone speaks "African"

This statement goes hand-in-hand with people saying ”Africa is a country”. I am still shocked every time I hear this statement because Africa is indeed the second largest continent with 54 countries that could not be more diverse.

You can count up to 80 indigenous languages being spoken in Ghana alone and some sources even say there are as many as 100 different dialects.

The official language spoken remains English, due to Ghana’s colonial history in the past. It is commonly used when conducting business, on TV and radio, as well as for official matters.

The Cost of Living is cheap in Ghana

When arriving in Ghana the first thing people usually do is head to the Forex Bureau to change money. The current exchange rate lays at:

• 1 Euro = 7,00 GHS

• 1 United States Dollar = 5,81 GHS

• 1 Pound Sterling = 8,05 Ghanaian Cedi

(Data provided by Morningstar for Currency and Coinbase for Cryptocurrency, 29th March 2020)

Now don’t get fooled! The cost of living is higher than most people expect in Ghana (especially in Accra). You will learn quickly that the money you changed will be gone very soon if you don’t take care and monitor your spending.

Different categories such as accommodation, food + beverages, transportation, and entertainment need to be looked at. Accommodation particularly tends to account for most of your budget.

Traveling to Ghana is dangerous

”Is it even safe to travel to Ghana?”. It is important to mention that Ghana ranks as THE safest country in West Africa and is an ideal start for solo travelers eager to explore the continent.

The major cities such as Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi are hotspots for many international tourists. You will quickly get to know how friendly Ghanaians are.

Traveling to any unknown country in this world requires you to be careful and assess your surroundings properly since you are in a completely new environment. Taking sensible and necessary precautions is always advisable. ”Is it even safe to travel to Ghana?”

Internet in Ghana is super slow

Getting access to solid internet in Ghana is as easy as it would be anywhere else. You can be online in almost every part of the country and surf with 3G and LTE speed (might be a bit harder in rural areas).

Many restaurants and hotels offer access to WiFI and there are numerous internet cafés with really fast internet. The two most common internet providers used are MTN Ghana and Vodafone.

You can top up your phone easily and buy credit at almost every major junction. You also have the option of paying for your internet usage monthly.