Cost of living in Ghana

I can see this is an old post, but I just wrote a post about this on my blog http://gisforghana.blogspot.com If anyone wants updated info, please email me.

General information

Ghana : - If an award were given for the country with the friendliest people in West Africa, Ghana would be a strong contender.


All fresh Indian vegetable are available in Accra at tudu.

Informations:-
A) Indian supermarket
1) Sagar super market (osu - temple) – behind us embassy
2) Shiv sai supermarket - (tv Africa) – OLD GLAMOUR

B) Religious (temples)
1) Osu temple – behind us embassy
2) Odoko mandir – on odoko high way
3) Iskon (hare rama hare Krishna temple) – media – 30 mins drive from accra – on Kumasi road.
4) Gurudwara – tudu – kojo Thomson road.

C) Indian Restaurants
1) Khana khazana – (South Indian), – tudu – inside engen filling station
2) Kohinoor – osu – behind old us embassy.
3) Heritage / noble house – osu – before stadium and osu cemetery.
4) Banana leaf: - (Indonesian CUSINE) – OSU. BEFORE HERITAGE
5) Kukus Nest:- North Kaneshie (Besides Melcom) (Best Prices, Dhaba Type Food)

Cost of Living

1 USD = 1.5 Ghana cedies (Approx)
> accommodation prices
a good accommodation will cost anything between 600 to 1000 USD. Only bungalows available no flats
> public transportation fares
Taxi  and shared transport (Troto) available else one can hire a bike also. Minimum fare for private taxi will be USD 2 min. Transportation is very very expensive, its better that one should ask employer for transportation.

> food prices(per month, how much does it cost you?)
500 Usd onwards for family of 3-4 for Indian food, indian grocery is  very expensive in Ghana approximately itwill cost you around 4 times of its prize here in india

> health prices
Dr. consultancy charges are 20-30 USD per visit (for local doc) and 70-100 USD for indian docs.
Medicines are very very expensive so I recommend carrying along your necessary medicines from india.
> eduction prices (if you need to pay)
International Schools are expensive -700-1200 USD a month fees
No Indian school in Ghana
> energy prices (oil, electricity)
1.3 USD per ltr for Petrol, Electricity is Prepaid at most places average cost is 60-100 usd a month.

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)
cable instrument and installation will cost anything between USD 600-700 for 4-5 channels of choice. Monthly charges will be around 30-50 USD. Every additional channel will cost extra.
Internet is very EXPENSIVE, datacard will cost arround 150-200 USD, monthly charges are 60 to 80 USD. For unlimited connection
Cellphones SIM card are freely available & is cheap. Its preferable to call india from Ghana, calling from india to Ghana is costly
> prices of a good menu in a traditional restaurant
Single person for Normal Indian meal is aroung 20-40 Usd
Family of 4 will cost 100-125 USD.

> prices of a beer
Beer and alcohol along with nonveg food is very cheap, you can experience vast varieties of meta over here. Packed water will cost you the same as a can or bottle of beer. Juice and fruits are cheap you can enjoy them in bulk and corn is also very cheap and tasty.
> price of the cinema
no cinemas in Ghana

Thanks for proper info.

Thank you for the helpful information. Do you happen to know if there are any Buddhist temples or at least a Buddhist organization in Ghana. Seeing as it is not a country of even the smallest Buddhist minority I am sure it would be no where unless maybe in Accra due to the international atmosphere.

Thanks  for  the  info.

Hi  all, can you  help me is  45k  cedis per  year, a  good salary?

45K cedis or Ghana Cedis?? it should be Ghana Cedis. if its a CTC (including everything) then it's lil on lower side coz accommodation, insurance and education is bit expensive in Ghana. i also suggest you to ask for salary in USD coz Ghana cedis is highly volatile currency.

indians are not paid that much so as per indain standards its pretty good. i think usd2500 a month just for food n expense isnt a bad deal in any part of the world u sd go ahead........njoy n all the best

Thanks Viki1230in,

Can I ask how long you been in Ghana and How does your family find day to day living there?

Dear All,

I am Mahabadi, i also would like to know about Accra, Ghana expences.

Expat.com wrote:

Hi everybody,

It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Ghana.

Don't forget to mention where in Ghana you are living.

How much does it cost to live in Ghana?

> accommodation prices

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc ...)

> food prices(per month, how much does it cost you?)

> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)

> eduction prices (if you need to pay)

> energy prices (oil, electricity)

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)

> prices of a good menu in a traditional restaurant

> prices of a beer and or a coffee in a regular pub

> price of the cinema

Do not hesitate to add items to this list!

Thanks in advance for your participation!!

Thanks for valuable & good information.

Santoshkumar Mahabadi

viki1203in wrote:

General information

Ghana : - If an award were given for the country with the friendliest people in West Africa, Ghana would be a strong contender.


All fresh Indian vegetable are available in Accra at tudu.

Informations:-
A) Indian supermarket
1) Sagar super market (osu - temple) – behind us embassy
2) Shiv sai supermarket - (tv Africa) – OLD GLAMOUR

B) Religious (temples)
1) Osu temple – behind us embassy
2) Odoko mandir – on odoko high way
3) Iskon (hare rama hare Krishna temple) – media – 30 mins drive from accra – on Kumasi road.
4) Gurudwara – tudu – kojo Thomson road.

C) Indian Restaurants
1) Khana khazana – (South Indian), – tudu – inside engen filling station
2) Kohinoor – osu – behind old us embassy.
3) Heritage / noble house – osu – before stadium and osu cemetery.
4) Banana leaf: - (Indonesian CUSINE) – OSU. BEFORE HERITAGE
5) Kukus Nest:- North Kaneshie (Besides Melcom) (Best Prices, Dhaba Type Food)

Cost of Living

1 USD = 1.5 Ghana cedies (Approx)
> accommodation prices
a good accommodation will cost anything between 600 to 1000 USD. Only bungalows available no flats
> public transportation fares
Taxi  and shared transport (Troto) available else one can hire a bike also. Minimum fare for private taxi will be USD 2 min. Transportation is very very expensive, its better that one should ask employer for transportation.

> food prices(per month, how much does it cost you?)
500 Usd onwards for family of 3-4 for Indian food, indian grocery is  very expensive in Ghana approximately itwill cost you around 4 times of its prize here in india

> health prices
Dr. consultancy charges are 20-30 USD per visit (for local doc) and 70-100 USD for indian docs.
Medicines are very very expensive so I recommend carrying along your necessary medicines from india.
> eduction prices (if you need to pay)
International Schools are expensive -700-1200 USD a month fees
No Indian school in Ghana
> energy prices (oil, electricity)
1.3 USD per ltr for Petrol, Electricity is Prepaid at most places average cost is 60-100 usd a month.

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)
cable instrument and installation will cost anything between USD 600-700 for 4-5 channels of choice. Monthly charges will be around 30-50 USD. Every additional channel will cost extra.
Internet is very EXPENSIVE, datacard will cost arround 150-200 USD, monthly charges are 60 to 80 USD. For unlimited connection
Cellphones SIM card are freely available & is cheap. Its preferable to call india from Ghana, calling from india to Ghana is costly
> prices of a good menu in a traditional restaurant
Single person for Normal Indian meal is aroung 20-40 Usd
Family of 4 will cost 100-125 USD.

> prices of a beer
Beer and alcohol along with nonveg food is very cheap, you can experience vast varieties of meta over here. Packed water will cost you the same as a can or bottle of beer. Juice and fruits are cheap you can enjoy them in bulk and corn is also very cheap and tasty.
> price of the cinema
no cinemas in Ghana

Dear All Friends

Please help me to get the following information.

I learnt that there is no Indian School in Accra, Ghana and International schools are very expensive, so what is the option for the school in Ghana?

Happy X-max

Santoshkumar Mahabadi
9323062488
Mumbai

There is a movie theater (Cinema) in Accra its GHC 10 for a movie.

Ghana, Accra
Overview
LOCATION: Ghana is in Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo.

CAPITAL CITY: Accra

LARGEST CITY: Accra

CURRENCY: Ghanaian New Cedi (GHS)

ECONOMY: Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorest countries in West Africa due to its natural resources. Ghana however remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Major sources of foreign exchange are gold, timber, and cocoa production. It's primary economic activities are financial and government services, communications, construction, transport and agriculture (particularly fishing). Accra houses over 70% of Ghana's manufacturing capacity.

Cost Of Living
Accra has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Accra is currently ranked 179 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 244 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 209 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 276 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 190 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 155 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 210 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 148 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 150 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 116 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 76 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 145 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 264 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 132 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Accra is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Accra is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Accra is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

can we have feedback from people living in accra about cost of living

I've written a travel/living guide to Ghana which includes 5 pages of updates (as of February 2010) costs on living and traveling in Ghana, although I targeted it at the budget side for those who like to get out and shop in markets, as well as supermarkets, with ranges for prices taking this into account.

Accra is, understandably, the most expensive place to live in Ghana. Kumasi is a close second. It's difficult to find a one room, bathroom and kitchen for less than US$400 a month.

You can find a decent expat style house for around US$1000 a month near Osu/Labone (or some people i know did anyway).

The other thing our guide provides, which is notoriously hard to find in Ghana, is a comprehensive list of clinics and hospitals in Accra, but also across the country, with contact names and numbers. We obtained the information through a friend at one of the bigger intl orgs. It's all under "Arriving" in our guide.

We also include transport timetables (with 5 options from Accra), to and from all the major cities in Ghana. As most living here now would know, you just can't get that info anywhere in Ghana. We did it on foot, the hard way, lots of sweat. So you now don't need to travel half way across Accra, find out there is no bus, go and stay somewhere the night, go back the next day. It's all in our guide.

Anyway, there's loads more. We're updating on a 6 month basis (but sending out incremental updates in the meantime). You get updates free for a year.

You can read more at ourblog listed here or at www.g-lish.org/ghanaguide.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Gayle.

Dear All Indian Friends in Ghana
I am moving to Ghana as Expats. Kindly help me by providing following information's
1. Is there any major security issue in Ghana, Like Nigeria'
2. Is there any Bengali family in and around Accra.
3. Apart from Accra, any good residential place for staying with family
4. Which is the best Airlines from India to Ghana.
Regards
S.C.Dutta

Hey Guys,

Planning to come to ghana for living as expecting some offer for the same.
I am getting $600/ month + all accomodation + transportation and utility bills taken care off.
Please tell me if $ 600 is enough for living in ghana with family of 2 more person?
How is the atmosphere there? Is it safe or R thr any threats for us? Will I be able to live comfirtable life in $ 600 as I live here in Delhi?

Sandy ---I suggest not to accept this offer. 600USD a month is not at all a salary. Even locals in Ghana work for more! Minimum Salary (savings) in Ghana should not be less than 1200 USD. Also post company info you got offer from (may be in inbox). There are lots of companies are doing fraud & making expat work like a Donkey. Sending money to Home country is big issue here, employer MUST provide Salary certificate to send money.

Thank for your reply mulliving.
600 USD is only for local expenses with all accomodation + Transportation and texation bill taken care off. There is seperate portion of International sal saving which will be directly debited in my Indian account quarterly. company is not bogus, i knw that for sure. Also company will take care of all texation part. i dont hv to pay anything in Taxes at all.

My question is if USD600 (net without any tax) is enough for living gud life in Ghana or not? can you please help me with that?

Sandy. Give us full details. SALARY+600 USD local exp.+Free Acco + Utility paid + Child Edu + Car + Petrol. etc. What is SEPERATE PORTION?

Seprate portion is that I have to buy my groceries and any local expenses lk eating out and entertainment. Rest all like accomodation +Car +Petrol +maintainance+medical will be taken care by company

Hellow SANDY - You are going round & round. What is your salary? in total? 600USD? How much you will get after that?

Sir I will be getting USD 600 exactly in hand to met my local expenses. other part of salary has nothing to do with my local expenses so thr is no point discussing that one sir. i might be sounding a lil diff but To be clear, i will get USD600 to spend localy out of which I dont have to save anything.
$600 local expenses in cash and there are no expenses i hav to pay for accomodation +transport +Medical +utility bills.

Can you please tell me if thats enough
Hey can anyone answer my questions please?

Guys,
I  think  sandy is  saying his company  will pay his normal  salary in india but wile he is in Ghana the  company  will pay  for  everything apart from food and going out expenses.

$600 is  like  under 900 cedis just  for  food  is more than enuff for  family of  two.

hey friends, can someone guide me about the cost of living in ghana...i have got a job offer (don't know about the place of posting becuse the recruitment process is still in progress)...the recruiters have quoted a total package of 3500 USD per month(OVERSEAS SALARY + LOCAL SALARY)...other expences such as accomodation, transportation, medical, telephone, internet and expenses would bw incurred by the company. so is this a good deal....please let me know...i would be moving on a bachelor status.

Hi Everybody,

need help regarding living expenses.

i have got a offer and still i have to negotiate. They have said $200 local salary and 700$ offshore salary. free visa+internal transport+ semi furnished acc+ etc.

Please help me shoould i accept the offer.
How is the place for Indian bachelors/?

NicoleKennedy07 wrote:

Thank you for the helpful information. Do you happen to know if there are any Buddhist temples or at least a Buddhist organization in Ghana. Seeing as it is not a country of even the smallest Buddhist minority I am sure it would be no where unless maybe in Accra due to the international atmosphere.

The only Buddhist presence in Ghana seems to be the Japanese Nichiren form. They have a temple near Dansoman.
http://sgighana.org/

Although Darmaweb.org list the following:
Maha Bodhi Society of Ghana
P.O. Box 7148, Accra, Ghana
Box 57, Agbozume V.R., Ghana
Phone : 230586
FAX : 23321-229988
Tradition: Theravada

Senmyo-Zan
Hokkei-Ji Temple
Web site: www.proudblackbuddhist.org/New_Ghana/Page_1x.html
Contact:Samuel Adonteng
Tradition: Japanese Pure land - Nichiren Shoshu

Hi Friends

How you all are able to get job from India in Ghana, Please share consultant names in India, (consultants should not cheat).

I want to get a job in Ghana , please help.

Rajeev

Hi everyone

@ rajeev.chavan:- You are off topic. You shall create a new discussion in the Ghana forum!

Hi everyone,

I got a job offer from Ghana as an expat with a pay of 7000 USD per month (All inclusive, Tax inclusive). Could you guys suggest if its a fair offer?
Also if you can give me a rough idea of living expenses per month (current approx rates) of two people family (with wife) like accomodation, transport, medical, visa fee, cell phone, internet etc?
Plus, more importantly what is the usuall tax ratio that is applied on pay? i-e how much tax would I have to pay from my salary?
Meaning, how much can I save out of everything per month?

Thanks you, have a nice day.
Best Regards.

Hi All,
Please help me out for following details.

I have got offer to work in Ghana & they are offring me 1200 USD/per month (around 2250 GHS/per month). beside this they are giving me,
i)Furnished Accommodation (housing) – inclusive of electricity, water & Cable TV
ii)Boarding (food)
iii)Local Transport
iv)In-house DVD & Book Library
v)Recreation Room

Please let me know beside this if i want to live an average life whether this offer will be OK.

How's the over all atmospher & living standard there.

Also i came to know the city is full of epademic zone like malaria etc. which mosquito repellent from india will be useful there & if i wish to purchase over there which will be gr8.

Any mosques for Muslims in Acra?

Bufi, Kindly share with me if you get any reply for your questions.

There are a lot of mosques in Ghana as there is a large Muslim community. Perhaps you could research Ghana online to find out more about the country.

can anyone tell me the price of iodised salt in ghana in 1 kg consumer pack

hi, my husband got an offer in Ghana, i wan to know about the  security indian families get and about the cbse schools

There is no specific security for Indian families. Ghana is a relatively safe country and as long as you take the sort of precautions you would anywhere you will have no problems.
I don't understand your question about schools. There are a variety of international schools here and if you google schools in Ghana you will find out about them.

Pl tell me abt cost of living in tema  ghana

like electricity bill, e\water bill, doctor visit, etc  basic cost of food ( veg).