Check back for information on lodging and transportation. In the meantime, here is information on visa and traveling to Africa.

TRAVEL AND VISA INFORMATION

If you do not already have a passport, please apply for one immediately.  Visa applications should be submitted in late May or early June, as they typically take a week to process (plus time in transit).  Tourist visas are good for 90 days from the date of issue.

For U.S.-based participants, visa application guidelines can be found here on the Ghana Embassy website.

Materials you will need to submit include:

• Completed visa application form - Download Form
• Valid passport for at least six (6) months (Before Expiration)
• Photocopy of applicant's round-trip ticket or itinerary
• Evidence of financial support (recent copy of bank statement or letter from bank/sponsors)
• Visa Fee - Cash, money order, postal order, cashiers check or certified bank check
• Four passport-size photographs of applicant (Very Important)
• Affix each photograph with glue or staple on the top right comer of the application form.
• Applications submitted by mail must be accompanied by prepaid self-addressed   overnight, trackable envelope PREFERABLLY FEDEX OR DHL for return of passports.

Vaccinations

The following vaccinations are recommended for those to Ghana from outside Africa:

Summary of recommendations:

All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.

Malaria: Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for all areas.

Hepatitis A - Recommended for all travelers

Typhoid - Recommended for all travelers

Yellow fever  - Required for all travelers

Meningococcal - Recommended during the dry season (November through June)

Polio - One-time booster recommended for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult

Hepatitis B - For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially visiting for more than 6 months

Rabies - For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and  may not have access to medical care

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) - Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given

Tetanus-diphtheria - Revaccination recommended every 10 years

*Ghana requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon port of entry.

IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION:

-Drink only BOTTLED water. Avoid Ice.

-Avoid food off the street. Fresh fruit should be washed using bottled water. Most salads are prepared using tap water and thus should also be avoided. Those using water for shaving/brushing teeth should do so with bottled water as well. Avoid getting water into your mouth or eyes while showering.

Transportation

To and From the Airport:  Most hotels offer transportation to and from the airport. However, PALF will provide transport form the airport for all arriving guests/participants for a nominal fee. A bus will be present for all flights coming into Ghana on the scheduled conference arrival days.

Getting Around:

By Taxi:  To flag a taxi wave your arm with your finger pointed down to the ground. There are no meters on Ghanaian taxis. You must negotiate how much you are willing to pay before you start the trip. Taxis are easy to identify. The two front side panels and the two rear side panels are normally painted a different color from the rest of the vehicle. Also, like many commercial vehicles, taxis always have a yellow background, with black lettering, as compared to the private vehicles that have white background, with black lettering. There are some taxis with meters in them. They are generally more expensive, but you can be a little more sure about how much they will cost.

TroTros: TroTros are very crowded and dilapidated private vans that act as the city's public transit system. TroTros travel along a well known routes in the city, and stop at various points along the way. As a TroTro approaches a stop, the driver's assistant will usually yell out the side of the window where the TroTro is going. They will usually rip you off. Many people die in trotro accidents every year.

Money:

Do not use credit cards in Ghana as most places do not accept them and there is risk of fraud and identity theft. Banks and ATMs offer the safest, mostly cost effective methods of converting your money.

The exchange rate (as of early June 2008):

1 US Dollar = 1 Ghanaian Cedi          

1 British Pound = 2 Ghanaian Cedi

1 Euro = 1.6 Ghanaian Cedi

Average Restaurant / Bar Prices in Ghana:

Three-course dinner in restaurant        GHC 11.00                  $10.89 £5.56   €6.99

Fast meal                                         GHC 3.50                    $3.47   £1.77   €2.22

Cup of coffee in bar/café                     GHC 2.9                      $2.87   £1.47   €1.84

Beer in bar                                        GHC 0.80                    $0.79   £0.40   €0.51

Average Prices for Other Expenses:

Taxi rate per km./0.62 miles               GHC 0.20                    $0.20   £0.10   €0.13

City centre bus fare (3km./1.86miles)  GHC 0.15                    $0.15   £0.08   €0.10

Web cafe (30 mins.)                          GHC 0.60                    $0.59   £0.30

Electrical Plugs: 220V/240V 50Hz  (Same as in Great Britain)

Essentials To Bring:

All guests should consider bringing the following items: flashlight, towels, hand sanitizer, electric converters, baby/hand wipes, anti-diarrhea medicine, aspirin, shower shoes, mosquito repellent (with deet), sun screen, and a visor/hat. Also be aware that both the quality and availability of toilet paper should be considered uncertain, depending largely on where you are lodging. If you are staying in a dormitory, you will want to bring a pillow and linens.