As part of measures to help inform the larger traveling public, the Ghana Tourism Authority has launched this page to provide information to all on the COVID-19 measures.

 

Last updated: January 2023

Basic Information:

• The Kotoka International Airport in Accra re-opened for regular international passenger travel on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Ghana’s land and sea borders have also been opened.
• Wearing of face masks/shield is no longer mandatory in most public places (including vehicles).
• Hotels, Restaurants and Tourist Attractions are operating with and safety measures.
• Nightclubs, pubs, beaches, and cinemas have been open and operating fully.
• Conferences, workshops, meetings, weddings and events are permitted to operate fully.
• Religious services are permitted with appropriate COVID-19 measures in place.
• There are No movement restrictions within Ghana with respect to COVID-19.
• Commercial flights (domestic and international) are operational as well as domestic transport service
• Cinemas and Theatres have been re-opened.

 

Basic Entry Requirements Effective September 1, 2022

 

1. Pre-Arrival Processes – Travellers intending to enter Ghana

• All international passengers including those from the ECOWAS region, intending to fly to Ghana, will be required to be fully vaccinated.
• All International passengers including those from the ECOWAS region must complete a Port Health Declaration Form at https://www.ghs-hdf.org/hdf/ before embarkation of flight to Ghana.
• Passengers originating their journey from CHINA will be required to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR TEST RESULT 48 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM ORGINATING COUNTRY. In addition such passengers will be required to undergo MANDATORY COVID-19 Testing on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport at no cost.
• In addition to the above, passengers may be randomly selected and offered Test on arrival.

 

2. Arriving Passengers – Travellers Entering Ghana

Ghanaians and Foreign Residents

• 18 years and above arriving in Ghana will be required to provide evidence of full vaccination for a COVID-19 vaccine at the point of embarkation and upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
• Fully vaccinated will be exempted from pre-departure COVID-19 PCR testing from point of embarkation.
• Fully vaccinated will be exempted from COVID-19 testing upon arrival at the KIA.
• Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated will be required to present a NEGATIVE 48hrs PCR test result to the airline before embarkation and upon arrival.
• Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated will undergo COVID-19 testing at the KIA upon arrival.
• Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated will undergo COVID-19 vaccination at KIA upon arrival

 

Non-Ghanaians:

• At the point of embarkation must provide evidence of full vaccination status to the Airline prior to embarkation. (Airlines that board non-Ghanaians without evidence of full vaccination will be considered to have violated the COVID-19 guidelines for Ghana and shall be fined $3,500.00)
• Travelling to Kotoka International Airport with fake or forged vaccination certificates shall be quarantined and returned to the point of embarkation at their own cost.

 

All Arriving passengers will undergo temperature screening, Yellow Fever Card verification and COVID-19 vaccination certificate verification as required

 

3. Transit Passengers

Passengers transiting and transferring through KIA will be required to be fully vaccinated and in addition adhere to COVID-19 testing requirements at the destination countries.

 

• Children under 18 years (Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians) who are unvaccinated are exempted from pre-departure COVID-19 PCR testing and COVID-19 testing upon arrival at the Airport in Ghana
• Airline crew are exempted from the pre-departure and arrival COVID-19 testing and should follow the Airline policy for testing.
• Passengers who arrive under emergency circumstances such as diverted flights will not be required to undergo testing if they do not leave the airport or remain in isolation in their hotel

 

 

• Passengers departing Accra will required to adhere to COVID-19 testing requirements for the destination countries.
• Departing passengers will undergo temperature screening at the entrance of Terminal 3 departures.

 

7. Wearing of Nose Mask

• Wearing of nose mask is recommended in all Airport Terminals and ancillary buildings

 

8. Vaccination

 

 

COVID-19 VACCINES GRANTED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORISATION (EUA) BY THE GHANA FOOD AND

DRUGS AUTHORITY (FDA)

1. Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) – Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russia
2. CovishieldTM (Oxford/AstraZeneca formulation) – Serum Institute of India (SIIPL) India
3. COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen (Ad26.COV2. S) – Janssen Pharmaceutica NV Einsteinweg 101, 2333 CB Leiden, The Netherlands
4. Pfizer – BioNTech’s Comirnaty (BNT162B2) – BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH Kupferbergterrasse 17-19, 55116 Mainz Germany, Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium NV Rijksweg 12, 2870 Puurs, Belgium
5. Moderna’s Spikevax (mRNA 1273) – Rovi Pharma Industrial Services, S.A, San Sebastian de los Reyes, Paseo de Europa, 50, Madrid, Spain
6. Vaxzevira (previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca) (AZD1222) – AstraZeneca AB (Sweden) SK Bioscience Co Limited (Republic of Korea)

 

OTHERS GRANTED EMERGENCY USE LISTING (EUL) BY WHO

7. COVAXIN – Bharat Biotech, India

8. BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells) – Sinopharm, (Beijing) China

9. CoronaVac – Sinovac, China.

10. COVOVAX™, COVID-19 vaccine (SARS-CoV-2 rS, Protein Nanoparticle [Recombinant]) – Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd

11. NUVAXOVID™ COVID-19 vaccine (SARS-CoV-2 rS (Recombinant, adjuvanted]) – Novavax CZ a.s.

https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/agency/who/

N/B: The first dose of Johnson and Johnson and 2nd dose of all other approved vaccines should be at least  14 days prior to embarkation to be qualified as fully vaccinated.

 

9. Traveller Role – Uploading the vaccination card onto the PanaBIOS trusted travel platform

1. Create an account on the AU-endorsed site: https://trustedtravel.panabios.org or on the UNDP-endorsed Global Haven site: www.globalhaven.org
2. Click on the “Trusted Vaccines” tab.
3. Choose user type to create vaccination booklet (self or dependent if uploading for someone).
4. Indicate the country of vaccination.
5. Choose pathogen/disease (SARS-CoV-2).
6. Fill the vaccination campaign column (i.e., Type of vaccines and the number of shots).
7. Fill the vaccination record (i.e. Batch number, manufacturer, vaccination date and vaccination card number).
8. Upload the vaccination card.
9. The system will verify your vaccine records and issue you with a code and a pass.
10. Either the vaccine code or the pass is adequate for travel.
11. The vaccine code or the pass will be verified and validated by Port Health before departure and upon arrival into Ghana.
12. The vaccine code or the pass will be pre-validated by the airline before check-in at departure.
13. If unvaccinated, take a PCR test within 48 hours of your embarkation to Ghana and validate the test result at https://trustedtravel.panabios.org or www.globalhaven.org

 

10. Airline Role

• Airline pre-embarkation staff must confirm that passengers have BOTH a Vaccine Code from PanaBIOS and a Vaccine Card before check-in.
• Airline operators should inspect, and ensure that every passenger shows proof of a pre-validated vaccination certificate (QR Code) from the PanaBios platform before they are allowed to board the flight except partially vaccinated or unvaccinated Ghanaians/Foreign resident passengers who are required to present a NEGATIVE 48hrs PCR test result to the airline before embarkation and to Port Health upon arrival.
• Sanctions will be applied by Port Health to airlines who do not comply to the guidelines and protocols.

 

11. Port Health Role

• Port Health will validate the vaccination certificate both physically and using the PanaBIOS platform of travelers embarking and disembarking at the airport, seaport, and ground crossing.
• Port Health will provide technical assistance, supervise, and monitor the airlines to enhance effective implementation.
• Port Health will apply sanctions to airlines who do not comply to the guidelines.
• Disembark Non- Ghanaian passengers who did not upload their vaccination certificates
• Disembark Non-Ghanaian passengers who are not fully vaccinated per the guidelines
• Travelers who are found to possess ‘fake’ or ‘vaccination certificate belonging to other persons’ will be handed over to the National Security.

Customer support: [email protected] Additional information on how to comply with these directives are available at: www.panabios.org/advisories/Ghana

Ghana Airport Contact Centre – 0302-550612

 

Additional information and guides can be accessed on the Ghana Health Service and Africa CDC website (www.africacdc.org/trusted-travel). Customer service and technical support can be reached via [email protected]

 

 

COVID-19 Testing:

• Several Hospitals and facilities offer testing at a fee for COVID-19 related tests with 30mins – 2hrs hours turnaround time.
• Nyaho Medical Centre, Airport Clinic, MDS Lancet, Akai House Clinic, and Noguchi Memorial Advanced Research Laboratory.
• Fees vary per institution and are not covered by the Government of Ghana.
• Airpot Clinic within the airport area of the Airport is also a testing centre
• FULL LIST OF ACCREDITED CENTRES

 

Local Resources:

• Ga- East Municipal Hospital, Ridge Hospital  and  Tema  General Hospital  have been designated  as the primary COVID-19 treatment centers in the Greater Accra region. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Kumasi South Hospital are the primary COVID-19 treatment centers in the Ashanti region.
• Ga Municipal Hospital has recently opened an Infectious Diseases Unit and 37 Military Hospital has a recently completed Bio-containment Ward intended for infectious disease threats such as COVID-19. These hospital treatment facilities are expanding laboratory capacity to perform COVID-19 diagnostic testing in addition to treatment.
• The  Government of Ghana has expanded COVID-19 treatment of confirmed cases with the addition of  Korle  Bu Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, and University of Ghana Medical Center. Isolation centers at Pentecost Community Center and Prampram Convention Center are the designated isolation centers for confirmed COVID-19 cases
• The Government of Ghana has set up two phone numbers for questions regarding COVID-19: +233 50 949 7700 and +233 55 843 9868. The Ghana Health Service also maintains a  COVID-19 information website  with useful information.

Other links:

• Ghana Health Service COVID Update
• Ghana Airport Company
• Online COVID-19 Test Payment
• Online Health Declaration Form
• Accredited Laboratories

Videos

 

 

Tourism Call Centre – 0307 007 100 / 0579579019

WhatsApp – 0546352240

Email – [email protected]

CORONA VIRUS FAQs

What is a ‘novel’ coronavirus?
A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new strain of coronavirus.

The disease caused by the novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China, has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’

The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.

How does the COVID-19 virus spread?
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing), and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal.

These symptoms are similar to the flu (influenza) or the common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19. This is why testing is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19. It’s important to remember that key prevention measures are the same – frequent hand washing, and respiratory hygiene (cover your cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissue, then throw away the tissue into a closed bin). Also, there is a vaccine for the flu – so remember to keep yourself and your child up to date with vaccinations.

How can I avoid the risk of infection?
Here are four precautions you and your family can take to avoid infection:

• Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue, when coughing or sneezing, and throw away the tissue into a closed bin
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms
• Avoid handshakes
• Go to the doctor if you have a fever, cough or feel that it is difficult to breathe (Do not self-medicate)

 

Should I wear a medical mask?
Yes, wearing of masks is compulsory in Ghana. Failure to waer attracts sanctions.

If masks are worn, they must be used and disposed of properly to ensure their effectiveness and to avoid any increased risk of transmitting the virus.

The use of a mask alone is not enough to stop infections and must be combined with frequent hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs, and avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms (coughing, sneezing, fever).

Does COVID-19 affect children?
This is a new virus and we do not know enough yet about how it affects children or pregnant women. We know it is possible for people of any age to be infected with the virus, but so far there have been relatively few cases of COVID-19 reported among children. The virus is fatal in rare cases, so far mainly among older people with pre-existing medical conditions.

What should I do if my child has symptoms of COVID-19?
Seek medical attention, but remember that it’s flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, and symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or fever can be similar to those of the flu, or the common cold – which are a lot more frequent.

Continue to follow good hand and respiratory hygiene practices like regular handwashing, and keep your child up to date with vaccinations – so that your child is protected against other viruses and bacteria causing diseases.

As with other respiratory infections like the flu, seek care early if you or your child are having symptoms, and try to avoid going to public places (workplace, schools, public transport), to prevent spread to others.

What should I do if a family member displays symptoms?
You should seek medical care early if you or your child has a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Consider calling ahead to tell your health care provider if you have traveled to an area where COVID-19 has been reported, or if you have been in close contact with someone with who has traveled from one of these areas and has respiratory symptoms.

 

What is the best way to wash hands properly?
Step 1: Wet hands with running water

Step 2: Apply enough soap to cover wet hands

Step 3: Scrub all surfaces of the hands – including back of hands, between fingers and under nails – for at least 20 seconds.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly with running water

Step 5: Dry hands with a clean cloth or single-use towel

Wash your hands often, especially before eating; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; and going to the bathroom.

If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water, if hands are visibly dirty.