Money in Ghana: A Guide for Canadians

The currency question trips up more Canadian travellers than any other part of the trip. Here's the complete picture.

The cedi (GHS)

Ghana's currency is the cedi, and it floats freely against the US dollar. Prices for visitors are often quoted in USD (hotels, tours) and paid in cedis — so your mental model should be: think in USD, spend in GHS.

Cash is still king outside the cities

Accra's hotels, malls and restaurants take Visa and Mastercard, but markets, taxis, small restaurants and rural Ghana run on cash and mobile money (MTN MoMo — everywhere, and genuinely useful if you have a local SIM).

How to get cedis

1. Bring US dollars in crisp, new bills — the single most reliable strategy; exchange at forex bureaus (better rates than banks and airports)
2. Bank ATMs — Visa withdrawals work reliably at major banks in cities; Barclay/Absa and Stanbic machines are dependable
3. Notify your Canadian bank of your travel dates, and know your foreign-transaction fees — they add up at 2.5% per tap

What things cost

• Street food lunch: the equivalent of a few dollars
• Mid-range restaurant dinner: $10–20
• Comfortable hotel night: $60–150
• Private driver day rate: $50–80
• Full-day guided experience: $50–120

Outside the festive peak, a comfortable independent traveller spends roughly $100–150 CAD a day. In December, budget half again more — everything in Accra carries a premium, and books out early.

About our CAD pricing

Every price on this site shows a live USD-to-CAD conversion, updated from current exchange rates — so Canadian travellers always see the true current cost. Payments are charged in USD; your card issuer converts at their own rate.

Longer stays and relocations

If Ghana becomes more than a trip, Wise and Remitly beat bank wires for Canada-to-Ghana transfers, and the diaspora desks at GCB and Fidelity smooth the transition to local accounts. Our relocation guide covers the full playbook.