Accra, Ghana Info Please
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Accra, Ghana Info Please
I would appreciate any info/tips for Accra for a newbie (Okay it's me
, flown all over the world, but Africa is new to me)
1- Airport- Anything particular to watch out for-Safety,
2- Layover- Things to do on a 2 day stay,
3- Health concerns- I know the US State Dept-CDC Requires Yellow Fever Shot, everything else (Malaria Pills, Hepatitis B, etc) is Recommended.
There are some scary side effects listed, as well as certain meds not being approved for Pilots (Mefloquine)..
I know Delta flies daily JFK-Accra, would like their suggestions as well as anyone else's.
Thank you in advance.
, flown all over the world, but Africa is new to me)1- Airport- Anything particular to watch out for-Safety,
2- Layover- Things to do on a 2 day stay,
3- Health concerns- I know the US State Dept-CDC Requires Yellow Fever Shot, everything else (Malaria Pills, Hepatitis B, etc) is Recommended.
There are some scary side effects listed, as well as certain meds not being approved for Pilots (Mefloquine)..
I know Delta flies daily JFK-Accra, would like their suggestions as well as anyone else's.
Thank you in advance.
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Accra
Accra is a fairly good place to go in Africa, radar, decent airfield and good english spoken. Use a handler(Universal Aviation and Weather can organise) Malinill is the prefered meds for malaria prevention
. Few side effects and ok to fly while on the regime. Dont forget yellow fever and it's a good idea to get all the hepititis shots. Holiday Inn at the airport is good so is the Labadi Beach hotel. As far as things to do during the day use only approved guides from the hotel ,stay on the beaten track and use commen sense. The Ghanainians are amongst the nicer folk in Africa but it is still Africa. Please broadcast on 126.9 and understand ATC is not up to the same standard as USA or Europe. I have been traveling there for the last 16 years in a Falcon 2000 and have had no real issues
Welcome to Africa
. Few side effects and ok to fly while on the regime. Dont forget yellow fever and it's a good idea to get all the hepititis shots. Holiday Inn at the airport is good so is the Labadi Beach hotel. As far as things to do during the day use only approved guides from the hotel ,stay on the beaten track and use commen sense. The Ghanainians are amongst the nicer folk in Africa but it is still Africa. Please broadcast on 126.9 and understand ATC is not up to the same standard as USA or Europe. I have been traveling there for the last 16 years in a Falcon 2000 and have had no real issues
Welcome to Africa
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Accra Info
Hi,
I'm an American pilot for US based airline. I've had a home in Accra for the last ten years to which I commute often.
Commute to and from the Accra in uniform.You will get hassled less by everyone. People are friendly but are status concious.Don't ever lose your temper.Be polite but assertive with everone. Don't tell anyone outside of customs and immigration it is your first time to Ghana.They will think twice about ripping you off.
Change money at the FOREX inside baggage claim.Rates are good.If you have a Bank of America account you can use Barclays ATM free of any fees.
Delta has been great for commuting although I've been bumped a few times because the flight always has lots of non-revs on buddy passes..Staff there are great people and try hard to get the job done. Delta starts flying direct from Atlanta to Accra first week of June . United starts service the same week from Chicago.Always come to the airport 4 hours before departure to list yourself for the trip home.
Hotels are way overpriced in Accra. Check the net and find a nice guest house which are often nicer and can often provide you with a car and a driver.
Two day layover if on the weekend requires you take the Dodi Island Princess Ferry up the Volta River from the Volta River Dam to Dodi Island.Its a four and a half hour trip up and back but for $35 US you'll get food, drink and entertainment.I did the trip last weekend with a boatload of Ghanain police and we had a ball dancing to the awsome band based with the boat.Ferry operates only on Sat. and Sunday.
Get yourself a Bragg guide book and you can choose what you might like to do if you are there during the week.
Hope the above info helps.
Ciao
I'm an American pilot for US based airline. I've had a home in Accra for the last ten years to which I commute often.
Commute to and from the Accra in uniform.You will get hassled less by everyone. People are friendly but are status concious.Don't ever lose your temper.Be polite but assertive with everone. Don't tell anyone outside of customs and immigration it is your first time to Ghana.They will think twice about ripping you off.
Change money at the FOREX inside baggage claim.Rates are good.If you have a Bank of America account you can use Barclays ATM free of any fees.
Delta has been great for commuting although I've been bumped a few times because the flight always has lots of non-revs on buddy passes..Staff there are great people and try hard to get the job done. Delta starts flying direct from Atlanta to Accra first week of June . United starts service the same week from Chicago.Always come to the airport 4 hours before departure to list yourself for the trip home.
Hotels are way overpriced in Accra. Check the net and find a nice guest house which are often nicer and can often provide you with a car and a driver.
Two day layover if on the weekend requires you take the Dodi Island Princess Ferry up the Volta River from the Volta River Dam to Dodi Island.Its a four and a half hour trip up and back but for $35 US you'll get food, drink and entertainment.I did the trip last weekend with a boatload of Ghanain police and we had a ball dancing to the awsome band based with the boat.Ferry operates only on Sat. and Sunday.
Get yourself a Bragg guide book and you can choose what you might like to do if you are there during the week.
Hope the above info helps.
Ciao
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Good advice given
767Capt - I spend a few nights a month in Accra and have for years. THe two previous posters gave you EXCELLENT advice. I have nothing to add other than HAVE FUN!
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Great info, thanks for everyone who posted.
f2000:
"Malinill is the prefered meds for malaria prevention. Few side effects and ok to fly while on the regime."
I am a bit concerned about taking anything for Malaria due to the side effects-liver, kidney, etc... But I've also heard of 3 Delta employees, including 1 pilot who died from Malaria they picked up in Ghana!
If there is any Delta pilots to verify this info, be great!
What I heard so far is that hardly any airline staff flying to Ghana is taking any Malaria pills. (supposed to start taking it 1 day prior to the trip, AND continue until 7 days after returning home!)
Any comments?
What about going out to eat at local restaurants, drinking water, etc?
Again talking specifically about Accra.
Thank you.
f2000:
"Malinill is the prefered meds for malaria prevention. Few side effects and ok to fly while on the regime."
I am a bit concerned about taking anything for Malaria due to the side effects-liver, kidney, etc... But I've also heard of 3 Delta employees, including 1 pilot who died from Malaria they picked up in Ghana!
If there is any Delta pilots to verify this info, be great!
What I heard so far is that hardly any airline staff flying to Ghana is taking any Malaria pills. (supposed to start taking it 1 day prior to the trip, AND continue until 7 days after returning home!)
Any comments?
What about going out to eat at local restaurants, drinking water, etc?
Again talking specifically about Accra.
Thank you.
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Malaria preventative
Don't need to take any pills, always found copious quantities of whisky and raw garlic did the trick. After many years in strange places in Africa, only got malaria 3 times, and that as a result of running out of either one or both of the above mentioned preventatives!!!
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Accra
Hi 767,
Malaria meds are not perfect when it comes to constant use. If you anticipate going to africa on a regular basis speak to the BA travel clinic. For the occasional trip please take the meds. One of our pilots nearly died from malaria. Also once you return to US/Europe the doctors are not as familiar with malaria and the possibility of a miss diagnose is greater. Use tabard and wear long sleave shirts in the evenings. I tend not to go out to restaurants unless they have been recommended by reliable scources. Have had gastro too many times to risk eating in a dodgy place. Whisky etc does not prevent malaria. The time of the year (rainy season ) increases the risk. Cerebral malaria is fatal in almost every case. Once you have been to Accra a few time you will be more inclined to go out and about but please use commen sense.
Just be carefull, Africa is host to many strange bugs.
Enjoy its a fun place to fly.
Malaria meds are not perfect when it comes to constant use. If you anticipate going to africa on a regular basis speak to the BA travel clinic. For the occasional trip please take the meds. One of our pilots nearly died from malaria. Also once you return to US/Europe the doctors are not as familiar with malaria and the possibility of a miss diagnose is greater. Use tabard and wear long sleave shirts in the evenings. I tend not to go out to restaurants unless they have been recommended by reliable scources. Have had gastro too many times to risk eating in a dodgy place. Whisky etc does not prevent malaria. The time of the year (rainy season ) increases the risk. Cerebral malaria is fatal in almost every case. Once you have been to Accra a few time you will be more inclined to go out and about but please use commen sense.
Just be carefull, Africa is host to many strange bugs.
Enjoy its a fun place to fly.
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DO Not drink the water under any circumstances, use bottled water for cleaning teeth as well. Water is for sale everywhere in Accra, the petrol stations are good places to buy 'western' foodstuffs. There is a very good Supermarket (Maxmart) near the airport. there is a good Pizza place next door as well.
Most of the good restaurants are in Osu, there is a really good Chinese (Dynasty) and a fantastic stea house (Monsoon).
DOn't know where you will be staying but the hotel restaurants at Holiday Inn and Golden Tulip are good as well. Make sure you try the local beer if you can, Star is light and good, Stone is darker and realyl good but beware of CLub, it is very strong.
Most of the good restaurants are in Osu, there is a really good Chinese (Dynasty) and a fantastic stea house (Monsoon).
DOn't know where you will be staying but the hotel restaurants at Holiday Inn and Golden Tulip are good as well. Make sure you try the local beer if you can, Star is light and good, Stone is darker and realyl good but beware of CLub, it is very strong.
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Hi!
If you are taking a trip, I would recommend taking malarial drugs....probably Mefloquine is the best, but you want to start about a week before to see how you do on the drugs.
If you are coming regularly, or long-term, you do NOT want to take drugs.
According to my doctor, CDC, Candian CDC, etc., no problem with long-term use. WRONG!
The doctors here say long-term use is very bad for you, and it also makes drug-resistant strains of Malaria. I was taking them for about 6 months, but I stopped as I was getting EVERY side effect listed...NOT VERY NICE!
cliff
LFW
PS-When you get back to the states, if you have ANY health situations, get tested for Malaria FIRST. The docs in the West may not to think about Malaria
Note: Malaria used to be prevalent all over the 48 states!....had no idea.
If you are taking a trip, I would recommend taking malarial drugs....probably Mefloquine is the best, but you want to start about a week before to see how you do on the drugs.
If you are coming regularly, or long-term, you do NOT want to take drugs.
According to my doctor, CDC, Candian CDC, etc., no problem with long-term use. WRONG!
The doctors here say long-term use is very bad for you, and it also makes drug-resistant strains of Malaria. I was taking them for about 6 months, but I stopped as I was getting EVERY side effect listed...NOT VERY NICE!
cliff
LFW
PS-When you get back to the states, if you have ANY health situations, get tested for Malaria FIRST. The docs in the West may not to think about Malaria
Note: Malaria used to be prevalent all over the 48 states!....had no idea.
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The best form of Anti-Malarial is insect repelent and long sleve shirts and pants.
Long term use of Anti-Malarials are NOT good for your health, they will start damaging your liver and kidneys after 3 months.
Some people don't take them as they are not 100% effective in preventing them, also they help mask the symptoms of it if you do get it. Some wait until they start showing signs of malaria, and then take the pills to help slow it until they get to a decent doctor.
Of course none of this helps if you contract Cerebral Malaria, as mentioned before, it is in most cases fatal.
Just cover up at night!
Long term use of Anti-Malarials are NOT good for your health, they will start damaging your liver and kidneys after 3 months.
Some people don't take them as they are not 100% effective in preventing them, also they help mask the symptoms of it if you do get it. Some wait until they start showing signs of malaria, and then take the pills to help slow it until they get to a decent doctor.
Of course none of this helps if you contract Cerebral Malaria, as mentioned before, it is in most cases fatal.
Just cover up at night!
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Take malarone instead Mefloquine. Falciparum in Ghana area has developed resistence to mefloquine ( Lariam).
General info about mosquitoes;
FAQ: How Do I Avoid Mosquito Bites?
Some general info doīs and dontīs;
Integrated Mosquito Management
and dont forget about "tumbu fly"
Wellcome to Ghana...
General info about mosquitoes;
FAQ: How Do I Avoid Mosquito Bites?
Some general info doīs and dontīs;
Integrated Mosquito Management
and dont forget about "tumbu fly"
Wellcome to Ghana...
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Hi,
I am guessing you are UAL crew, going into ACC.
1. ACC- straight forward, radar environment, runway in use mostly 21 with ILS cat 1. Beware of a downdraft short final(i think it says this on the chart too!) Parking stands are abit awkward. No ground control. Nice little airport, not much traffic.
2. UAL put you up at Labadi beach hotel, nice hotel. You could walk to the beach and have something to eat there, atmosphere at the beach quite nice on the weekends
3. Oxford street, shopping area+restaurants. U could also go to accra mall or A&C mall(bigger than accra mall)
Temps in the 25-30 Celcius
Thats all I got for now...Enjoy!!
I am guessing you are UAL crew, going into ACC.
1. ACC- straight forward, radar environment, runway in use mostly 21 with ILS cat 1. Beware of a downdraft short final(i think it says this on the chart too!) Parking stands are abit awkward. No ground control. Nice little airport, not much traffic.
2. UAL put you up at Labadi beach hotel, nice hotel. You could walk to the beach and have something to eat there, atmosphere at the beach quite nice on the weekends
3. Oxford street, shopping area+restaurants. U could also go to accra mall or A&C mall(bigger than accra mall)
Temps in the 25-30 Celcius
Thats all I got for now...Enjoy!!
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CC- straight forward, radar environment, runway in use mostly 21 with ILS cat 1. Beware of a downdraft short final(i think it says this on the chart too!) Parking stands are abit awkward. No ground control. Nice little airport, not much traffic.
I recommend Mama Mia in Osu. Great home made pizza.
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For eating out might I suggest the following (all in / close to Osu):
)
Geeshh I miss West Africa... it's certainly a damned site better than the ME sandpit !
- Mama Mia's (for Pizza)
- Heritage (in the Chinese Centre... go figure... for a top notch Indian Curry).
- Frankie's (upstairs on the main drag in Osu for some cheap cheerful plentiful chicken & rice).
- Moonsoon (for something a bit more upmarket / international).
- El Guacho (for some very good steaks).
- Ryan's Irish Pub
)- The Office
- Jokers
- Makumbas
- Glens
- Aphrodisiac
- Tantra
- Waikiki
- Chester's
Geeshh I miss West Africa... it's certainly a damned site better than the ME sandpit !
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Malaria
As a previous poster mentioned, there's a great risk of misdiagnosis when you return home.
If you fall ill when you are back home and have to go to the hospital/GP for any reason, be sure to mention to the doctor that you just returned from Africa and might have caught Malaria.
Enjoy Mama Africa
If you fall ill when you are back home and have to go to the hospital/GP for any reason, be sure to mention to the doctor that you just returned from Africa and might have caught Malaria.
Enjoy Mama Africa
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Hi!
As a follow-up to my post
I now do NOT recommend Mefloquine...Malarone instead, and only for a trip or two. Do not take Malarials for long-term use.
cliff
LFW
PS-I definitely got malaria at least once or twice in Nairobi, while on meds, but it was not bad, as on the meds. Since stopping meds, I have not gotten malaria, either in Nairobi or Lome (or any of the other 20+ countries I have gone to in Afria). Everyone here has said, if you get sick: Go to the doctor, and first thing get tested for Malaria, as you want to rule that out first. DO NOT WAIT if you think you may have Malaria, ESPECIALLY if you are back from Africa in the 1st World....where they may not think of it!!!
As a follow-up to my post
I now do NOT recommend Mefloquine...Malarone instead, and only for a trip or two. Do not take Malarials for long-term use.
cliff
LFW
PS-I definitely got malaria at least once or twice in Nairobi, while on meds, but it was not bad, as on the meds. Since stopping meds, I have not gotten malaria, either in Nairobi or Lome (or any of the other 20+ countries I have gone to in Afria). Everyone here has said, if you get sick: Go to the doctor, and first thing get tested for Malaria, as you want to rule that out first. DO NOT WAIT if you think you may have Malaria, ESPECIALLY if you are back from Africa in the 1st World....where they may not think of it!!!
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Get a couple of malaria test kits from Kat Medical (.co.za) if it worries you. At least you can give the doc an early heads up if it shows positive reaction. They should be able to ship them to you or your company.
