Daily Life in Ghana: What to Expect

Life in Ghana is a vibrant mix of tradition and modern life. Visitors from the US or Europe often say Ghanaians are warm and hospitable, you’ll hear “Akwaaba” (welcome) on arrival and find people eager to help. Ghana has a population of about 34.4 million, a young median age, and it’s a lower-middle-income country where English is the official language (spoken by roughly 70%). In everyday life, though, English often mingles with local languages like Twi, Ga, or Ewe. The literacy rate is high (around 79%), so most people can read and write in English, especially in cities. You may quickly pick up some common phrases, Ghanaians often say “no wahala” (no problem) or “Chale” (friend), and you’ll see that a friendly greeting with a handshake or smile is the norm.

Ghanaians tend to have a relaxed pace of life. A day might start with neighborhood gossip over a cup of tea or ampesi (plantain) and red-red (bean stew) for breakfast, followed by work or school. Many go home for a hot lunch or enjoy local street food. Family and community are important. Evenings often find neighbors chatting in the street or families watching football (soccer) together on TV. Ghanaian life has its challenges, such as utility disruptions or crowded markets, but people tackle them with creativity and a strong sense of community. The sections below describe typical housing, transport, food, jobs, and more, so you can imagine daily life in Ghana from an insider’s perspective.

Housing and Neighbourhoods

Housing in Ghana varies widely by location and income. In cities like Accra or Kumasi, you might live in a modest apartment or a house in a gated community. One common option for middle- and lower-income families is the compound house: a single fenced property with several small, self-contained rooms or “chambers” arranged around a shared courtyard. Tenants share basic facilities like a toilet or kitchen. This arrangement helps people save on rent and utilities. You’ll see compound houses in many neighborhoods, often with their occupants greeting each other on returning home. Families with more means often rent or own standalone homes (two or three bedrooms, walled and gated). These houses usually have their own kitchen and bathroom.

Renting in Ghana can surprise newcomers. Rent is often paid yearly or biannually rather than monthly, which many expats find different. An average Accra one-bedroom apartment might cost a few hundred dollars a month, far less than in many U.S. cities, but landlords will ask for 6–12 months’ rent up front. Newer housing developments are springing up, but many Ghanaians still live in older buildings or shared compound units. If you rent privately, expect furnishings to be sparse (e.g. a bed or fan may not be included unless negotiated). Neighbourhoods range from bustling market areas to quiet residential suburbs. In any case, you’ll find neighbors friendly. It’s common for people to relax on a porch or under trees chatting and children playing together.

Getting Around: Transportation

Transportation is a key part of daily life. The streets are busy with many different ways to get around, often much cheaper than in the first world. Ghanaians rely heavily on shared and public transit. The most ubiquitous option is the trotro: a shared minibuses or vans that run set routes. Tro-tros wait until full, then leave, passengers hop on or off anywhere along the route. You’ll recognize tro-tros by their colorful seats and slogans painted on the sides. Riding a tro-tro is cheap (sometimes under 2 Ghana Cedi for a local ride) and part of the local experience. In cities, licensed taxis (usually yellow) are also common. These use a meter or negotiable rate, they’re more expensive but more comfortable. Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) now operate in major cities, giving a modern option for foreigners.

Outside tro-tros and taxis, you’ll also see motorbike taxis (called “okada”) zipping through traffic. (Note: they are banned in central Accra, but still operate elsewhere.) Walking is very common for short distances, people often wear flip-flops even on city sidewalks. Intercity travel is done by long-distance buses or shared vans. For example, luxury coach buses run between Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. Flights connect the main cities for faster travel, and ferries operate across parts of Lake Volta in the east.

• Tro-tros (shared minibuses): The cheapest and most used city transport.
• Taxis and Ride-hailing: Yellow taxis or apps (Uber/Bolt) for convenience.
• Private Car or Motorcycle: Many urbanites own a car (though traffic can be heavy) or motorcycle.
• Walking: Due to short distances in some towns, walking is common.
• Intercity Buses/Flights: For longer trips between regions.

Road conditions vary: city highways in Accra are paved but can be congested, especially in the morning and evening rush hours. Rural roads may be dirt or gravel. People often allow extra travel time for traffic jams. Public transport can be crowded (don’t be surprised if you share a tro-tro with a goat or baskets of yams!). Overall, getting around in Ghana requires flexibility, the wait for transport can be unpredictable, and timetables are loose. But it’s affordable and a great way to meet local people.

Food and Cuisine

Food is central to Ghanaian daily life. Meals tend to be hearty and starchy. Most people eat one main hot meal a day, plus lighter meals or snacks. Common Ghanaian dishes include:

• Fufu: Pounded cassava and plantain (or yam) served with light soup, palm nut soup, or groundnut (peanut) soup, often with goat, fish, or chicken.
• Banku and Tilapia: Fermented corn and cassava dough (banku) with grilled tilapia fish and hot pepper sauce (shito or chili pepper paste).
• Kenkey: Fermented corn dough wrapped in corn husks, usually eaten with fried fish, soup or pepper sauce.
• Waakye: A rice-and-beans dish often served with gari (grated cassava), egg, fish or chicken, and shito (spicy sauce).
• Jollof Rice: Spiced rice cooked in tomato sauce, often with chicken or fish, Ghanaian jollof is famous for its rich flavor.
• Breakfast Porridges: Thick corn (Tom Brown) or millet porridge, and Hausa koko (millet porridge) often with beans or koose (bean doughnuts).

Street food is very popular. You’ll find vendors selling kelewele (spicy fried plantain), bofrot (Ghanaian doughnuts), chichinga (meat kebabs), and fruits like pineapple or watermelon on the go. Eating out at a local chop bar (small roadside eatery) is inexpensive, a plate might cost $1–3. Many people buy fresh produce daily at open-air markets: fish on one side, lots of vegetables and fruits, piles of grains and spices. Haggling prices at markets is normal but done politely.

Meals are typically communal. If you share a house, you might all eat from the same big bowl. Guests are always offered food, refusing a share can be seen as impolite. Common phrases like “Dedeɛ yɛ dɛ” (the taste is sweet/delicious) or “Yen di agorɔ” (let’s eat) reflect the joy of communal dining. Ghanaian diets can be very spicy, so foreigners should taste carefully and ask for less pepper if needed. Overall, Ghanaian cuisine is flavorful and filling, you might end a meal with a smiling “Ebei!” (that was great).

Healthcare and Medicine

Ghana has both public and private healthcare options, though care quality and access vary. Most Ghanaians use the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a government program that lowers the cost of doctor visits and medicine. To receive care, people go to clinics or hospitals and typically show their NHIS card. In big cities like Accra or Kumasi there are large hospitals and specialist clinics, rural areas rely on smaller health centers or CHPS compounds (community clinics) staffed by nurses and midwives. Pharmacies are common even in towns, you can buy many over-the-counter medicines easily.

Visits to public hospitals can involve waiting in lines, staffing shortages mean you might wait hours for non-emergencies. Many Ghanaians keep a small pharmacy of common drugs at home (malaria medicine, cough syrup, etc.). Traditional medicine is also part of life, some people still use herbal remedies or visit a local healer for certain ailments. If you need serious medical care, private hospitals in Accra often have decent facilities (though prices are higher). According to WHO data, Ghana’s health infrastructure has grown, as of 2020 it had over 8,800 facilities nationwide, but resources can be stretched.

Overall, expect healthcare to be affordable but less organized than in first-world settings. A trip to the local clinic might cost only a few cedis with insurance, compared to hundreds of dollars elsewhere. One caution is that medical insurance coverage doesn’t cover everything, so expats often get private international health insurance for serious issues. Many people at least get basic vaccines (yellow fever, tetanus) before moving here. Pharmacies stock many generic drugs, so getting antibiotics or painkillers is easy. Remember to drink clean water and use mosquito nets as needed, preventive measures go a long way. In emergency cases, Accra has ambulances, but often people rely on taxis to reach a hospital quickly.

Work, Jobs and Income

Ghana’s job market is diverse. Agriculture employs a large share of the population, expect to see small farms and roadside cocoa or cassava sellers, especially in the countryside. In towns, many people are in the informal sector: market traders, craftsmen, taxi drivers, construction workers, tailors, or shopkeepers. It’s common for a person to have multiple jobs (for example, running a food stall in the evening after working a day job). Unemployment is relatively low (around 3% officially), but underemployment is common, especially among youth. A new graduate might work unpaid internships or side hustles for extra income.

Formal employment (salaried jobs) can be found in government ministries, banks, schools, or growing industries like telecom and technology. Accra’s tech sector is expanding, for example, many startups in fintech and e-commerce have opened in recent years. Ghana’s minimum wage is modest (in 2025 about GHS 15/day, roughly $2–3 USD), so salaries are often just a few hundred dollars per month. If you move here from a first-world country, you’ll notice locally that people calculate expenses very carefully. For instance, many employees and even some students save cash weekly or use mobile money (on-phone payments) to budget. Buying a meal or making a phone call is scaled to local prices, not Western costs, you’ll often see signs of prices in cedis and amounts like 1–5 cedis for cheap meals or services.

Entrepreneurship is common: you’ll spot roadside vendors everywhere, and small businesses around every corner. If you dine at a local café or buy from a market vendor, know that most of their income is earned day-to-day. Large international companies and NGOs do hire expats and skilled Ghanaians, often paying higher salaries. But many people live on a lifestyle that matches local prices (for example, food and rent are cheap compared to U.S. costs). A helpful local saying is “Nti na odo di kan” (“love comes first”) meaning Ghanaians value helping loved ones over wealth, you’ll see remittances sent home and family support as common practices.

Community and Culture

Ghanaians are extremely community-oriented. Extended families often live close together, and neighbors treat each other like family. You will notice that people greet any person they meet, on the street, at work, or on a tro-tro, with a handshake and “ɛte sɛn?” (Twi for “How are you?”) or simply a smile. It’s polite to return a greeting, even to strangers, and many visitors find the friendly nods and waves heartwarming. Respect for elders is important, younger people usually greet older ones first and may use formal pronouns or titles.

Religion plays a big role in daily life. About 70% of Ghanaians are Christian (often Protestant or Pentecostal) and about 18% are Muslim. You’ll hear church bells or calls to prayer on a typical day. Many Ghanaians attend church on Sunday in their best clothes, these days can be busy with services and family meals. Community events like weddings, naming ceremonies, and funerals are elaborate and can last days. Funerals especially are major social gatherings, with drumming, dancing, and shared feasts. Invitations to share food are sincere hospitality, it’s common to be invited to someone’s home for a meal if you mention living nearby.

Leisure and social life in Ghana can be simple. People love football (soccer), you’ll see children playing on any open lot after school and adults listening to or watching games. Outdoor movie showings and live music concerts happen on weekends. Many people relax at chop bars (local bars) after work with friends over soft drinks or local beer like Star or Club. Nightlife (especially in Accra) includes bars and clubs, but it’s usually more low-key than in Western cities. A popular phrase is “No do ye me” (Don’t vex me) meaning “no hard feelings”. Ghanaians typically avoid conflict by being polite, and you’ll seldom see people shouting at each other in public. Instead, expect lots of good-natured teasing and laughter. Cultural norms like queueing politely, saying “please” (mepaakyɛw in Twi) and “thank you” (medaase) are commonly used. If you learn a bit of local language (Twi or Ga), people will appreciate the effort, phrases like “meda wo ase” (thank you) or “akye” (good morning) go a long way in connecting with neighbors.

Infrastructure & Utilities

Basic infrastructure is improving but can be unpredictable. Electricity is widely available: about 90% of Ghanaians have power at home. However, outages (called dumsor in Twi, meaning “off-and-on”) are still common. Ghanaians joke about dumsor, the term is part of daily vocabulary, so many homes keep a small generator or battery backup. During outages, shopkeepers may light candles or charge phones with generators. Internet is mostly via mobile networks: 4G covers cities and towns, and about 70% of people use the internet. You’ll see many Ghanaians browsing Facebook or WhatsApp on smartphones. Wi-Fi is common in cafes and hotels in Accra, but slower outside major urban centers. Mobile banking and mobile money transfers (like MTN MoMo) are extremely popular, vendors often ask “mobile money OK?” and payment by phone is everywhere.

Water supply can be uneven. In cities, piped water is treated but may not run 24/7, so people store water in drums. Many families also drink boiled or bottled water. In rural villages, people may fetch water from wells or pay small fees at standpipes. Ghana’s roads vary: main highways are generally in good shape, but secondary roads may have potholes, especially in the rainy season. Traffic lights exist, but drivers often weave through intersections. Sidewalks can be cracked or filled with stalls, so pedestrians often walk on the road’s edge.

Other services: Public buses exist but are mostly used for longer trips. There is no door-to-door postal system in most places (people use PO boxes), and cell service is stronger than landline phones. Healthcare or utility offices usually operate during weekday business hours, but it’s normal to wait in line or to revisit the next day if staff are busy. Overall, expect to do things more on Ghana time: arrive a little late for appointments, allow extra time for bureaucracy, and always carry small change for services. Despite occasional power or water interruptions, people are adaptable. Backup plans (like power banks, generators, or ordering groceries online where possible) become part of life. For tips on handling power outages, see our guide on power outages in Ghana.

Education and Schools

Education is taken very seriously in Ghana. All children start primary school around age 6 and proceed through middle school. School uniforms (often green or blue plaid) are worn by public and private school students alike. Classes can be large, seeing 40–50 students in one classroom is normal, and teachers often use rote learning and drills. Ghana introduced free high school (senior secondary) in 2017, so most teens attend secondary school nearby, though classroom resources may be limited. Many families invest extra in weekend or evening tutoring to help with exams.

English is the language of instruction, so most Ghanaians grow up fluent in English, which helps expats integrate. At home or in the community, though, children speak local languages with family. There are also Catholic and other mission schools (often considered higher-quality) and a few international schools (in Accra/Kumasi) where curriculums align with British or American systems, these are popular with expats and wealthier Ghanaians.

University students often commute if a branch exists nearby, or live on campus in dorms with roommates. A university degree is highly valued, and students study hard to earn scholarships or jobs. Outside school, children play soccer (football) in the street, jump rope, or hang out at chop bars with sodas. Although technology is gradually entering classrooms, many schools still rely on textbooks and chalkboards. Parents encourage education as a pathway to a better life. As the saying goes, “Ↄka nkↃ na yera” (learning is not lost), families often celebrate exam results and help all their children through school. In daily life, being a student or teacher garners respect, and you’ll often see young people carrying briefcases or textbooks around town.

Bringing It All Together

In short, daily life in Ghana blends the comfort of friendly community with the practical realities of a developing country. Ghanaians are warm and community-minded, so newcomers often feel welcomed quickly. While things like power, water, or traffic might be less reliable than in first-world countries, people adapt with backup generators, water drums, and patience. You’ll learn local rhythms: morning rush at the markets, traffic jams with motley horns, midday heat followed by an afternoon meal of banku and soup, loud church music on Sundays, and the ever-present smile of a neighbor greeting you.

Most expats and visitors note the strong sense of togetherness. There’s a Ghanaian proverb: “Obi nnim ↄkyereↄ” (“no one knows it all alone”), the idea that community members help each other. This spirit shows up every day in Ghana: sharing groceries, helping carry a heavy load, or inviting someone in from the heat. Daily life has its challenges, but it also has a laid-back charm and spontaneity that many find refreshing. As a newcomer, being flexible and open-minded is key. Learn a few words of Twi (like medaase, thank you) and try local dishes, Ghanaian life rewards the effort. Whether it’s the convenience of mobile payments, the taste of spicy jollof rice, or the security of tight-knit neighborhoods, there’s a lot to appreciate. We hope this guide gives you a clear picture of life in Ghana from an everyday perspective. Akwaaba, welcome to Ghana!

Sources: Ghana Statistical Service; World Bank; Ghana Citizenship research.

Sources (links used):

• data.worldbank.org, Ghana | Data (population, unemployment, electricity access, internet use)
• statsghana.gov.gh, Ghana Statistical Service (religion breakdown and census-style references)
• cdn.who.int, WHO Ghana country/health system information (health facilities and system details)
• ghanacitizenship.com, Languages Spoken in Ghana
• ghanacitizenship.com, The Cost of Living in Ghana Vs USA
• ghanacitizenship.com, Power Outages in Ghana: Why They Happen & How to Cope
• ghanacitizenship.com, Inside Ghana’s Growing Tech Sector

Explore more about living in Ghana:

• Transportation in Ghana
• Languages spoken in Ghana
• Cost of living in Ghana vs USA
• Power outages (dumsor) guide