What should I pack for Ghana?

First and foremost: pack as lightly as possible!

Remember that you are guaranteed to come across things during the semester that you will want to take with you as souvenirs and give to friends and family. You should make sure to have space in your luggage to bring home memories from your time in Ghana.

Pack clothes suitable for a tropical climate.

It is likely that much of your regular summer wardrobe will not be suitable in Ghana. Tight tank tops, miniskirts, and short shorts are not considered appropriate attire in Ghana.

Bring t-shirts, light cotton pants, and long-sleeved light sweaters for the evening.

Linen or other materials suitable for tropical climates that cover your knees and shoulders can often be more comfortable in the heat than cotton tank tops and shorts.

You should also pack some nicer or more formal clothes. Ghanaians generally dress quite formally, especially at school and work. Purchasing and wearing some traditional Ghanaian attire will make it easier to gain the respect of the local population.

You should bring a cap or sunhat to protect yourself from the sun. Pack at least one pair of sneakers for excursions and fieldwork.

You should pack clothes that you're not afraid to wear and that can withstand rough use for trips in the rainforest and fieldwork. Bring a pair of wool socks for cooler nights, hiking, and excursions.

You can find most toiletries in Cape Coast. Bring any prescription medication you need.

You should bring enough sunscreen from home for the entire stay. The quality of sunscreen in Ghana is not always good enough.

Shampoo made for typical Scandinavian hair types can be hard to find. You might be able to find it in Accra or other major cities you visit. H

If you use contact lenses, you need to bring everything you need for the entire stay from home. Dental floss is also not easy to come by.

If you use tampons, you should also bring enough for your entire stay, as these can be difficult to find in Cape Coast.

Bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

Pack a towel. A silk sleeping bag liner can be nice to have on trips in the rainforest.

Do not pack expensive jewelry and items made of silver or gold. Although thefts are not common, they can occur. Flaunting wealth may increase the chance of experiencing something unpleasant.

You can buy paper, pens, staplers, and so on in Cape Coast.

Bring your laptop and textbooks.