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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Chief of Mission: Daniel Ohene Agyekum
Embassy: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520
FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527

Consulate(s) General are in New York:
Mailing address:19 E. 47th St., New York, NY 10017.
Telephone (212) 832-1300

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Donald G. Teitelbaum
Embassy: 24th Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra
Mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra
Telephone: [233] (21) 775348, 775349, 775297, 775298
FAX: [233] (21) 776008


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Ghana
Embassy of Ghana in Washington, United States of America
Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations in New York, USA
U.S Embassy Web Site in Ghana


FOREIGN RELATIONS

Ghana is active in the United Nations and many of its specialized agencies, as well as the World Trade Organization, the Nonaligned Movement, the African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Generally, Ghana follows the consensus of the Nonaligned Movement and the AU on economic and political issues that do not directly affect its own interests. Ghana has played an increasingly active role in sub-regional affairs, including prominent roles in ECOWAS and the African Union.

Ghana is a critically important peacekeeping partner; it is the largest African peacekeeping contributor nation to multinational peacekeeping operations (PKO) and the sixth-largest among all peacekeeping contributing nations. Currently Ghana has 3,267 peacekeepers deployed to UN peacekeeping operations. It has large contingents deployed in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Darfur region of Sudan, Lebanon, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire, with smaller contingents deployed in Chad, Western Sahara, Kosovo, Southern Sudan, and Georgia. Ghana contributes military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping operations outside of Africa, including nearly 900 troops to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. The United States provides military support to Ghana through a variety of programs, including the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program and the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program. President Mills has been a key ally on all major security initiatives in the region including counterterrorism.

U.S.-GHANAIAN RELATIONS
The United States has enjoyed good relations with Ghana at a nonofficial, personal level since Ghana's independence. Thousands of Ghanaians have been educated in the United States. Close relations are maintained between educational and scientific institutions, and cultural links, particularly between Ghanaians and African-Americans, are strong.

Through the U.S. International Visitor Program, Ghanaian parliamentarians and other government officials have become acquainted with U.S. congressional and state legislative practices and have participated in programs designed to address other issues of interest. The U.S. and Ghanaian militaries have cooperated in numerous joint training exercises, culminating with Ghanaian participation in the African Crisis Response Initiative, an international activity in which the U.S. facilitates the development of an interoperable peacekeeping capacity among African nations. U.S.-Ghanaian military cooperation continues under the new African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program; Ghana was one of the first militaries to receive ACOTA training in early 2003. In addition, there is an active bilateral International Military Education and Training program. Additionally, Ghana is the site of a U.S.-European Command-funded Exercise Reception Facility that was established to facilitate troop deployments for exercises or crisis response within the region. The facility is a direct result of Ghana's partnership with the United States on a Fuel Hub Initiative. Ghana is one of few African nations selected for the State Partnership Program, which will promote greater economic ties with U.S. institutions, including the National Guard.

The United States is among Ghana's principal trading partners. The Office of the President of Ghana worked closely with the U.S. Embassy in Accra to establish an American Chamber of Commerce to continue to develop closer economic ties in the private sector. Major U.S. companies operating in the country include Newmont, ADM, Kosmos Energy, Anadarko, DHL, FedEx, UPS, KPMG, ACS, CMS Energy, Coca Cola, S.C. Johnson, Ralston Purina, Star-Kist, A.H. Robins, Sterling, Pfizer, IBM, 3M, Motorola, Stewart & Stevenson, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and National Cash Register (NCR).

The discovery of major oil reserves in deep water in the Gulf of Guinea has led numerous American petroleum exploration firms to enter the Ghanaian market, and many other firms involved in oil and gas auxiliary services express an interest in starting operations in the country. Mining companies and agri-businesses from the U.S. increased their investments in Ghana recently. Political stability, overall sound economic management, a low crime rate, competitive wages, and an educated, English-speaking workforce have increased Ghana's potential to serve as a West African hub for American businesses.

U.S. development assistance to Ghana in fiscal year 2007 was implemented by USAID, the African Development Foundation, Millennium Challenge Corporation, and others. U.S. development assistance to Ghana in fiscal year 2007 totaled more than $55.1 million, with programs in small farmer competitiveness, health, including HIV/AIDS and maternal child health, education, and democracy/governance. Ghana was the first country in the world to accept Peace Corps volunteers, and the program remains one of the largest. Currently, there are more than 150 volunteers in Ghana. Almost half work in education, and the others in agro-forestry, small business development, health education, water sanitation, and youth development. Ghana's $547 million compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation is the most recent achievement in the U.S.-Ghanaian development partnership.

Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Donald G. Teitelbaum
Deputy Chief of Mission--Sue K. Brown
Director, USAID Mission--Robert Hellyer
Defense Attache--Lt Col Benjamin Moody
Senior Commercial Officer--Heather Byrnes
Public Affairs Officer--Mary Scholl
Political Chief--Gary Pergl, Acting
Economic Chief--Philip Cummings
Management Counselor--vacant
Consul--Michael Evans
Deputy Consul--vacant

The U.S. Embassy is located at 24th Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra (tel. 233-21-741-000). The mailing address is P.O. Box 194, Accra, Ghana. For American citizen services and visa questions, the Embassy consular section telephone number is 233-21-741-100.


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Ghana check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit and International Driving Permit are mandatory
Currency (GHC) cedi
Electrical 230 Volts
Telephones Country Code 233, City Code Accra 21+6D, Lashibi 22+5D, Takoradi 31+5D, Swedru 41+3D



Attractions
As a savoury blending of big-city bustle and African ease, Ghana's seaside capital is second to none on the continent. At once sprawling and accessible, rambunctious yet friendly, it's a city run by native Ghanaians, and their pride in their product shows. Best of all, even as popular as Accra's become in recent years, you still won't trip over Westerners at every third step. The best introduction to the city is a good browse in one of its main hawking grounds. Right at the heart of central Accra, the Makola Market brims with glass bead and batik sellers, while Kaneshie Market on the western side of the city is the one to hit for mouthwatering foods and spices. James Town, on a short peninsula south-west of the centre, is a handsome if dilapidated neighbourhood that's also worth a wander.

A huge military parade ground backed by the sea and capable of holding 30,000 people, Independence Square is to Accra what Red Square is to Moscow, minus any building of note. The square is just east of central Accra; while you practice your goose-stepping, notice Osu Castle - Accra's most historic structure - in the distance. Disappointingly, it's now the seat of government and off-limits to visitors. The Arts Centre, between the city centre and Independence Square, is where artisans gather to sell their wares and entertainers come to take advantage of the crowds. Count on catching some type of dancing, singing, jamming or traditional theatre performance. The Arts Centre is also the best craft market in the country.

Accra is famous throughout West Africa for its vibrant nightlife, especially its dance clubs, which centre around Nkrumah Circle. Rasta togs and dreadlocks usually mark the entrance to the hippest spots. Accra's beaches are another big draw, but the best ones are all a few kilometres outside of town. Coco Beach, east in Nungua, is accessible by tro-tro, but the nicest ones to the west all require private transport. Accra has some well established Internet cafes although they can be a little slow. New spots to surf, with faster connection times, are springing up all the time.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Currency...must be declared on arrival

Tobacco....400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 454 grams of tobacco

Liquor.....75cl of spirits or 75cl of wine

Perfume....227ml of perfume

Cameras....should be declared on arrival

Film.......reasonable for personal use

Agriculture items...refer psgr to consulate

Gifts......no duty free allowance

Prohibited items.....animals; firearms; ammunition; explosives; milk with a high fat content and mercury



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