Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Ghana?
Ghana is not renowned for the quality of its road network, indeed like many African countries it sadly lacks the investment in its infrastructure. Its road network is split into 2 types of road, trunk roads and non-trunk roads. Trunk roads are considered the most important for movement of goods and people and are administered and maintained by the Ghana Highway Authority which was set up in 1974 to develop the trunk road network. Trunk roads account for approximately a third of all roads in Ghana and stretch for around 13,500km. That means that 66% of Ghana's roads are designated non-trunk roads. With a total of around 40,000km of marked roads, of which 26,500km are non-trunk roads and of low quality. These figures are estimates and some reports claim there are more than 50,000km of unpaved roads in Ghana and a phrase you might see and hear around is
"in the UK you drive on the LEFT side of the road, whereas in Ghana we drive on what is LEFT of the road..."
Road conditions away from the trunk roads are generally very poor and potholes are common, where they are paved at all. Dirt roads are liable to flooding and landslides during the rainy season and sadly many lives are lost on the roads in Ghana. If you are visting Ghana, it's recommended that you seek a driver and stick to the trunk roads where possible.