Retiring in Ghana

I retired to Ghana. I have been here 7 years now. I retired here to join my Ghanaian husband.
If you are going to retire then you need to be in good health as the health care system is not the best. It is also quite expensive for medication and doctors/hospital visits.
I can't have my pension paid here but have maintained my British accounts and it is paid in the UK.
It isn't cheap to live here so you need a reasonable monthly income. We have our own house but buying property hére is a minefield. Renting isn't cheap unless you are prepared to live outside Accra and then you need transport. Driving is very tiring but OK once you get used to it and know the routes.
Not sure how you get a resident's permit if you come alone. I got one as a Ghanaian spouse and after 5 years qualified for permanent residency.
I live here because I like the lifestyle and feel it is better than it would be in the UK but I have lived abroad for over 30 years.
Think very carefully before you make the move. Come here and live for a few months to find out if it suits you and you can cope with the lifestyle. Come in the dry season as the heat can be difficult as you get older.
I love Ghana and am very happy with my life here.

Hi Priscilla,

I don't doubt for one minute that I'm atypical, but my story may be of interest all the same.
I chose Ghana because I have had a very strong affinity with Ghana ever since I worked here in 1967 - 1970. The advantages compared to my home country are more than evident: I need not here dilate on the many deficiencies of my home country, suffice it to say they have been considerably exacerbated in the last year or so.
I am not fully retired - a part-time translator if you will - and my customers are all in Germany (CET/CEST), so Ghana, on GMT, is ideal from that point of view. That and excellent internet coverage.
I can also get my hands on my paltry pensions (UK, Germany and France) here.
I'm still on tourist visas, but I'm getting closer and closer to permanent residence, which will make things a bit easier.
Healthcare is good in Ghana, the professionals I have dealt with were just that: professionals. I pay as I go, and I find it's cheaper that way than paying for health insurance I don't need. But to be fair I must say I am insured in France (thanks to my French pension) and I have had major stuff, e.g. two artificial hips, done there.
Tips for other retirees? If it's your first time in Ghana, you need to think carefully about it and in any case make visits - and I'm not talking about 2 - 3 weeks as a tourist, I'm talking about 2 - 3 months, "on the economy", as Americans living and working in Germany used to say.
There are many things to get used to and a Ghanaian partner is a good way to make a start (including by getting used to a Ghanaian partner).
The whole story would fill a book - and probably has done. I found it a great help to learn Twi, for example.

Anyway, if anyone is interested, I'm happy to talk about it at any time.
Rod Darby

I am looking forward to my Ghana visit in  hope that it will convince me even further to want to stay forever.  While preparing I am wondering  if I will meet new friends that will show me the ropes so to speak.   I want to injoy my visit but also use it as a fact finding tour.

Lol it's been interesting reading your post. You couldn't have summed it up any better.

Rita

Hello Michael,

I'm sure you'll like it very much in Ghana. I'll sugg you get in touch with somebody like Rob Darby or make friends, as he suggested and you'll be just fine. You can also let me know when you're getting ready to go and I can help find people to take you around. I'm back in America for some time.

Rita

Hi. I'm sure you will find lots of people eager to show you round but take things slowly and think very carefully before you commit to anything as there are so many scams regarding accommodation.
Hope you will be connected with other Expats who have made the move and enjoy living here

Thank You for taking the time to reply to my request.  I continue to plan and will contact you again if I need further advice, which I know I will.  I wait and plan with anticipation!!  Peace and Blessings

@Rod Darby

Hi Rod. I am Claus. Is youre offer still standing? I will arrive in Accra late january 23 and would like to pick youre brain. Thank you very much. Claus

@Rod Darby

Hi Rod. My name is Claus. Is youre offer still standing? I will arrive in Accra late january 2023. Is it possible to meet you? Thank you. Claus

This is quite an old thread and I haven't seen a post from Rod for a while. Maybe it would be better the send him a message.

Enjoy your stay in Ghana

Well.Retirring in Ghana is not a bad idea at all.

Just that you need to right people to stay with you. Surely you have to consider the health system ,Not that bad but will pay for it each time. It is not that expensive comparing it with your home country. It is lesser her in Ghana.I will be available to welcome you and take round  places.

Feel free to get in touch any time.

Well, retiring in Ghana is one of the best experiences that I have witnessed. First, I thought it was going to be hell for me, but I think it's all because of the stories I've heard about Africa. The best advice was to buy a house in Ghana. Living in Ghana has taught me that renting is much more expensive than buying a home. But most retirees prefer to live closer to the city center than further away from it. This, however, makes them spend more on utilities and noise pollution.

Hi Abdul-Razzak, where in Ghana are you residing, obviously I don't need your exact location? Thanks

I agree. We have been here 13 years now and  we bought our house when we first arrived so have not had to pay rent. More things are happening away from the centre of Accra and the road system is improving so places that once were thought to far out of town are now becoming more desirable and a good deal cheaper.

Hi, it's Jeffery, living in philipines, wanting to spend my days in Ghana but kinda scared because am elderly and sickly but oh but to get to Ghana is like high on my list ok, can someone friend me and help me here

@GARNETE I live in Accra, the capital city of Ghana.

Maybe one day they will create an Official Retirement Visa.

Hi Everyone,

I am planning to visit Ghana soon, but am over 60 and was recommended by my doctor not to take the yellow fever shot.  However, to visit Ghana it is mandatory to have this shot.  I have sent several email to the Ghanian embassy regarding this question with no reply from them. As anyone has this issue and how did you get around it. Thank you

@sarafina love   if you get a letter from your doctor of pharmacy saying youre not a good candidate for the yellow fever shot. Its not recommended for people over 60. I got the letter and I visited twice without the shot. In fact my pharmacist wouldn't give it he said the risk from the shot was more than yellow fever. What parts are you visiting?  Dm me