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Wondering what to wear in Ghana? Find out tips from one of our writers who spent a year living there!
What to Wear in Ghana
Written by: Tammy Lowe
Ghana is located very close to the equator, which gives it two main seasons: dry and rainy. But even during the dry season it is still very humid, just without the rain. Ghana also has a third mini-season of sorts when Saharan winds cause things to become very dry for a short while.
Due to climate change, rains sadly don’t happen that often anymore, but when they do, they come with a vengeance and can cause flooding. In cities like the capital, Accra, flooding is common, due both to the rain and a not-so-great drainage system.
Always, always, always research the weather before your trip. Once you’ve checked the weather, you can focus on creating a travel capsule wardrobe.
To help with your packing needs, the following guide provides some tips on what to wear in Ghana when visiting this charismatic West African country.
What to Wear in Ghana in the Dry Season
The dry season may not be rainy, but it’s very humid. So even if you are walking for just five minutes, you will most likely get completely drenched in sweat.
However, even if you take a taxi, chances are you will get sweaty anyway, as taxis don’t have air conditioning and you are bound to get caught in slow-moving traffic.
Linen Shirt | Long-Sleeve Rashguard | Floppy Brim Hat | Sunscreen
Sun Protection
I would definitely invest in products that prevent you from getting sunstroke or sunburn, including a hat, sunscreen, and maybe some long-sleeved tops. If heading to the beach, I strongly recommend a rash guard to protect your skin inside and outside of the water.
Footwear
In terms of footwear, I would bring some comfortable sandals that can look dressy, but are also handy for sightseeing or beach visits. If you are going to visit the countryside, the terrain will be a bit rougher, so sturdier sandals, like from Keen, would be more suitable.
Take a look at the best sandals for travel!
Short Sleeve Crew | Open Drape Cardigan | High Low Hem Tank Dress
Clothes
Because it’s so hot and humid, the best clothes are either cotton or silk-based, as they won’t cling to your body so much and can have a slight cooling effect. Alternatively, you could try a high-wicking material like merino wool. I loved wearing my Icebreaker t-shirt as it didn’t show any sweaty patches.
You are likely to want to escape the heat every now and then by taking refuge indoors with air conditioning. Be warned, though, the air con units in restaurants and bars can be super cold, so I always had to wear a cardigan in these circumstances. For this reason, I suggest bringing a light cardigan.
Ghanaian women love wearing colorful skirts or dresses, but they tend to have longer hemlines. It is not exactly frowned upon to wear shorts, but you’d get some stares.
You can buy stunning fabrics all over Ghana that you can take to a seamstress who will sew a dress based on any style you show her.
Use packing cubes to help you organize and even compress your belongings to maximize your space.
What to Wear in Ghana in the Dry Season
Rain Protection
An umbrella will come in handy during a rain storm, but it is also quite useful to shade you from the hot sun. During my time in Ghana, I increasingly noticed locals using umbrellas against the sun, so carrying one may very well mark you as one of the wiser people walking the streets of Ghana.
Footwear
In terms of footwear, sensible types might think rain boots would be the way to go. But nobody wears these in Ghana so you would look out of place!
A more common alternative is flip flops, which may not protect your feet from cuts and bruises on potholed roads, but in the rain, they won’t be ruined like canvas shoes might be.
Take a look at these versatile and fashionable flip flops!
What to Wear in Ghana During Harmattan
Harmattan is a dry and dusty north-easterly wind that blows from the Sahara Desert over the West African subcontinent. Harmattan was actually my favorite season when I lived in Ghana because the sky was constantly covered in some kind of dust cloud, which meant it felt cooler and the sun wasn’t quite as oppressive.
Skin Protection
The sand makes the air very dry, which obviously affects your skin. I would get some shea butter locally, but bring a lip balm to prevent your lips from cracking.
The beauty of Harmattan is that you don’t have to protect yourself quite as much from the sun as you would during the rest of the year, as the dust cloud protects you from the sun’s rays–to some extent anyway.
Depending on where you are in the country and how strong the Harmattan is, your clothes, hair, and skin will be covered in dust–which you might only notice when you look at the filthy water around your feet when you take a shower.
Be sure to pack plenty of shampoo and soap, clothes that don’t show dirty easily, and maybe some cotton buds to clean those places that are not easily accessible.
As you can see, depending on what time of the year you are visiting, you will have to slightly alter what to wear in Ghana; but generally speaking, as long as you pack comfortable clothes that are suitable for hotter climates, you shouldn’t go wrong.
What are your tips on what to wear in Ghana? Share in the comments below!
For more Africa packing tips, please read:
- 7 Packing Lessons I Learned from a Last Minute Volunteer Trip to South Africa
- What to Pack for a Safari and City Trip from South Africa to Zimbabwe
- What to Pack for Africa: Serengeti Safari and Zanzibar Beaches
- What to Wear in South Africa: Cape Town Fashion
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Author Bio: Tammy is a travel blogger and adventure junkie. She has endured the Everest Base Camp trek, abseiled down a skyscraper, cycled down the world’s most dangerous road, and trekked through the mosquito infested Amazon jungle. You can follow her adventures on her blog Tammy & Chris on the move or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.
This is one of the most helpful posts i found on the topic. I’ve been in Ghana for a year now, i wish i had this earlier.
Glad you found it helpful 🙂 Hopefully you can still use it!
What are cotton buds?
Hi Linda 🙂 A cotton bud is a small wad of cotton wool on a short, thin stick, which is used for cosmetic purposes or cleaning the ears.
Better known as Q-Tips in the U.S.