Of all the cultural matters, the most important to observe in Ghana is what to do when meeting someone whether formally, at work, or informally such as random meetings when traveling.
Etiquette for Travel in Ghana
Ghanaians will always take at least five minutes inquiring about each others’ family, work and health before getting down to business. No matter how pressing the matter at hand, priority is placed on the other person and the family, and there is an obligation to ask after the well being of the others’ family before anything else.
When traveling, if help is needed it is polite to first at least inquire “How are you?” to whomever you meet before asking for the help.
Like many international cultures, shaking is done exclusively with right hands. In Ghana there is an addition to this. In informal or friendly situations the middle fingers are clicked together to make a sharp “snapping” sound. In formal work situations or when meeting elders the snap is left out.
Also, like many international cultures it is forbidden to use the left hand for anything of significance. It is reserved for cleaning one’s privates and therefore considered dirty. Do not use the left hand to eat (Ghanaians eat with their right hands), to handle money, to wave, to shake, or in any intereactions with other people.
Ghana has a terrible reputation for lacking bathroom facilities for travelers. While urinals are plentiful, toilets are rare. It is not acceptable to use a urinal as a toilet, no matter how dire the situation.
While not quite like Japan where shoes are forbidden indoors, full-stop, it is not acceptable to wear shoes inside people’s inner rooms unless they expressly say so. It is usually fine to wear them in the house proper, but some people will ask guests to remove shoes when entering the house itself too.
There is no indigenous culture of tipping in Ghana. Many tourists do like to tip for a good service and, if so, it is wise to do it mindfully. Many guides at major attractions survive on tips rather than a formal salary. Depending on the attraction—Cape Coast Caslte, Elmina Castle, Nzulezo Stilt Village canoeists—you may wish to tip a reasonable amount for the time spent. The minimum wage in Ghana is currently 3.11 GHC per day so tipping commensurate with this, or more generously if preferred, is a good guide.
Ghanaian culture does not value punctuality and, indeed, a common expression “GMT” is often quoted when meetings or events begin late. It stands for “Ghana Maybe Time.” Nevertheless, it is best to attempt to turn up on time for meetings even if others may be late.
It is important to address bureaucracy at all levels with the correct title, irrespective of how long or elaborate it may seem. If incorrect titles are written in formal correspondence it is likely that the writer will be asked to re-draft and submit the correspondence with the correct title.
It is rare to smell tobacco smoke in Ghana as smoking is not common other than for a minority of Ghanaians and within the immigrant Lebanese and expat and travel community.
A packet of cigarettes cost the equivalent of most people’s daily wages. Generally speaking Ghanaians view smoking as a vice and smokers as weak-willed.
Generally Ghanaians do not like to be photographed looking less than their perfectly polished best which is why some people will complain or refuse to be photographed in places like markets or laboring where the work is dirty and unflattering. It is best to request permission to photograph people when in doubt.
Gayle Pescud - Co-founder of G-lish Foundation in Ghana, an award winning non-profit that welcomes volunteers in Africa.
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