Traveling to Ghana: What You Need To Know
January 23, 2022
Interest has grown in travel to Ghana, a popular tourist destination in West Africa. That means demand for vaccinations and other health services recommended for travel to the region are also on the rise.
Known for its idyllic climate and scenic beauty, Ghana has built a tourism industry around its heritage as an outpost of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
“There is a lot of interest in travel to Ghana among African-American residents of our region,” says UH infectious disease specialist Keith Armitage, MD, medical director of the UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health. “We see many people in the travel clinic going to Ghana and West Africa.”
Health Concerns
Dr. Armitage said yellow fever is among a number of diseases tourists need to be vaccinated against. Travelers must show proof of yellow fever vaccination to enter the country, or they must quarantine.
“There has been a yellow fever outbreak in Ghana, and also a polio outbreak,” Dr. Armitage says.
Travelers should also be vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid. They need medication to prevent malaria and may need booster shots for measles and polio, he says.
“When we see travelers, we also give advice on how to avoid mosquito bites and food- and water-borne illnesses,” Dr. Armitage says. “We advise on treatment if you do get an intestinal illness, and how to deal with dog or animal bites.”
Ghana also requires travelers from abroad to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and they must also present a negative COVID test.
Anyone traveling abroad should be vaccinated and boosted against the virus, Dr. Armitage says.
To get the latest information on COVID-19-related travel requirements, check the web sites of your destination country and the U.S. State Department.
Related Links
As you think about planning for your healthcare needs for your next big trip, the clinicians at the UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine and Global Health are ready to help you prepare to be safe and healthy while you build lifelong memories.