CONTENTS: INTRODUCTION, WHAT IS A HOTSPOT?, JOLLY HARBOUR, ANTIGUA - ST. JAMES, BARBADOS - GOLDEN SANDS, BULGARIA - DUBROVNIK, CROATIA - DUBAI, UAE - EL GOUNA, EGYPT - FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - ACCRA, GHANA - GOZO, MALTA - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - KINSALE, COUNTY DONEGAL, IRELAND - LIMASSOL, CYPRUS - CANCUN, MEXICO - NATAL MIDLANDS, SOUTH AFRICA - NAXOS ISLAND, GREECE - MOUNT MAUNGANUI, LEIGH, NEW ZEALAND - NIMES, FRANCE - ORLANDO, FLORIDA - PANAMA CITY, COSTA BLANCA, PANAMA - KRAKOW, POLAND - LAGOS, REDONDO, PORTUGAL - MURCIA, SPAIN - UNAWATUNA, GALLE, SRI LANKA - PHUKET, PATTAYA, THAILAND - FETHIYE, TURKEY - ISOLA D’ELBA, TUSCANY - QUEENSLAND, ADELAIDE
| ACCRA, GHANA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C O U N T R Y
D A T A
| Population | 19.89 million persons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PopulationGrowth | 1.85% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land Area | 230,020 sq km | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Currency & exchange rate | 1 new cedi (C) = 100 pesewas (~0.0000607260 GBP) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GDP-PPPMethod | 35,918.0 millions of US dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GDP Growth | 2.31% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GDP Per Head | 1,805.0 Thousands of US Dollars Per Person | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial | Interest Rate | Inflation Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24.5% | 14.5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National Bank | Bank of Ghana | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political | After reforms in 1992, the President and a new National Assembly are elected by universal suffrage. The president can be elected for a maximum of two four-year terms. The National Assembly has 200 seats and is also elected every four years The current President, John Kufour was sworn in as President in January 2001 after his opposition party, the NPP won 57% of votes. Ghana is now an African success story. It has a pluralistic political system. The strength of this was underlined by the elections held as described above, when, for the first in its history, Ghana witnessed the election of an opposition party. What followed was a smooth transition of power. The next Presidential and Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2004 In May 2002, President Kufour established a commission charged with examining human rights violations that occurred during the military ruling period. The commission commenced hearings in early 2003. Ghana’s contributions to united Nations peacekeeping is highly renowned and dates back to 1960. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Social Security | Ghana does not impose social security tax. However, employers must withhold 5% of each employees pay and contribute 12.5% of each employees pay to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Languages | English (official); indigenous African languages (including Asante Twi, Akuapim Twi, Fante, Ewe, Ga-Adangme, Nzema, Dagbani, Dagaari, Kasem, Frafra, Buli, Kusaal, Sisaala, Gonja) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customaries | Special Events: Ghanaian festivals are well worth seeing with drumming, dancing and feasting. Every part of the country has its own annual festivals for the affirmation of tribal values, the remembrance of ancestors and past leaders, and the purification of the state in preparation for another year. Local dress includes the expensive, hand-woven Kente cloth for which Ghana is famous: this is worn by men like a toga Social Conventions: Ghanaians should always be addressed by their formal titles unless they specifically request otherwise. Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. It is customary in much of West Africa not to use the left hand for touching food. Photography: Permission should be sought before photographing military installations, government buildings or airports. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ethnic Make-up |
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| Tax | Income Tax | Capital Gains Tax | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non- residents are subject to income tax at a flat rate of 20%. Management fees and technical service fees paid to non-residents are subject to a 20% final withholding tax. | Capital gains are taxed at a rate of 10% Capital losses are not taken into account. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Agriculture occupies most of the working population, producing both subsistence and cash crops. Cocoa is a major economic source and Ghana is one of the worlds biggest cocoa producers. Other sources of economic benefit are Timber and Gold mining. Fishing has grown in importance since the acquisition of shipping vessels. Ghanas major trading partners are the UK, US, France, Italy, Nigeria and Togo and is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Kufuor tackled and economy that was dipping. Tough measures such as raising fuel duties by 90% were some of his key attributes. The recovery in the price of gold and coca helped Ghana reach macro-economic stability. Whilst poverty is declining, unemployment still remains around 17% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L O C A L
D A T A
| Investor Profile: | Cash & Equity Investor Pension Investor Holiday Investor Retirement Investor Downshifter Investor Business Investor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Category: | Bronze | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Population:
| Total | British | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,605,400 | 5,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Climate: | Hours of Sunshine Per Day in Summer | Days of Rain Per Year | January | July | Average Water Temp. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine hours | Annual rainfall in the capital averages 865mm. wettest month is June when rainfall averages 235mm | 27C/80.CF | 24.6C/76.3F | 20C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proximity to: | Airport | Beach | Nearest City | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kotoka International Airport is Ghana's only airport. It is situated on the outskirts of Accra. The flight time between London and Ghana is approximately six and half-hours. | Accra's beaches are another big draw, but the best ones are all a few kilometres outside of town. Coco Beach, east in Nungua, is accessible by tro-tro, but the nicest ones to the west all require private transport. The best beach in Accra to visit is the Labadi Pleasure Beach. | Tema, Nsawam, Oda, Winneba | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restaurants and bars: | Accra is famous throughout West Africa for its vibrant nightlife, especially its dance clubs, which centre around Nkrumah Circle. Rasta togs and dreadlocks usually mark the entrance to the hippest spots. In addition to the bars and restaurants in hotels, there is a wide range of restaurants offering menus to suit many different palates with food generally of a good standard. Eating out is generally less expensive than in the UK. French cuisine tends to be more expensive. There are also many snack bars (locally known as "Chop Bars") and shops, where good quality Ghanaian food is sold at reasonable prices. There are a few fast food restaurants opening in Osu (an area of Accra frequented by expatriates and middle income Ghanaians) but the recognised chains have yet to establish a presence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports and leisure facilities: | Compared to other African countries, Ghana’s national parks and game reserves are small, and relatively few tourists visit them. Although Ghana’s coast offers miles of sandy beaches, strong currents and tides can make bathing quite dangerous. Near Accra there are three swimming pools near the surf. Sailing or water-skiing offers alternatives and there are numerous centres with good facilities. The best spots for surfing are at Fete, Dixcove (both west of Accra) and Kokrobite near Accra. Another exhilarating experience is to be taken out over the surf in a local fishing boat. Ghanaians share a fanatic following of football and heavy interest in tennis and boxing. Another popular sport is horseracing, which takes place at the Accra racecourse every Saturday. There are golf courses at Accra too. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transport: | Public Transport | Roads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most Ghanaians get around in taxis, tro-tros (minibuses) and mammy wagons (generally some sort of converted pickup truck). Government-run buses connect most major towns and some smaller ones, but their service isn’t what it used to be and it's usually better to travel with any of the private bus companies. A comfortable but slow railway system connects Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi in a single-track triangle. | Ghana's road network is in decent shape, though there are some badly potholed stretches and almost all secondary roads are unsealed. Car rental is expensive but available in Accra. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crime rate: | Accra has its share of crime, though it is generally regarded as being relatively safe and peaceful. Lately, however, the rate of crime seems to be rising. The police are working hard to arrest the situation. Be careful of pickpockets, and armed robbers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Main types of employment | The sale of anything whatsoever in a market, petty trading, hawking or selling from a kiosk at any place; Operation of a taxi service and car hire service. (A non-Ghanaian may undertake this service provided he has a minimum fleet of ten new vehicles); All aspects of pool betting business and lotteries, except football pools; Operation of beauty salons and barber shops. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Future plans: | Ghana will spend between 100 and 150 million dollars to upgrade facilities at the Accra and Kumasi sports stadiums as well as the construction of new ones in Sekondi and Tamale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yield range | 7 – 9 % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type of property | Entry Price | Rent- Peak | Rent- Off Peak | Average Annual Yield | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 bed apartment | £13,000 | £100 | £100 | 9.2% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 bed apartment | £18,000 | £120 | £120 | 8% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 bed townhouse | £20,000 | £130 | £130 | 7.8% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Detached | £23,000 | £150 | £150 | 7.8% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand for letting | Peak | Off peak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| High | Moderately low | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance and leisure scores: | Total (out of 10) | Financial (out of 5) | Leisure (out of 5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 3 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flights scheduled from: | There are Ghana Airways flights from Kotoka Airport in Accra to almost every country in West Africa, as well as flights to New York and London. British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Accra and Ghana Airways flies from London Heathrow to Accra three times a week. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Typical cost of flights: | Peak | Off Peak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 800 – 1800 GBP | 490 – 1100 GBP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operators: | Including British Airways and Ghana Airways, other airlines that fly from Europe to Accra are SN Brussels (Brussels),Alitalia (Rome), Saudia (Rome), KLM (Amsterdam) and Egypt Airlines (Cairo), Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Abeba). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description: | Accra has friendly people, wonderful beaches, good food and a great atmosphere. Accra is the capital of Ghana; it's a busy, smelly, vibrant city. Accra is not a city made for tourism - it's a living, working, breathing city where Ghanaians work and party, especially during the weekend. However, as a tourist, you will be made very welcome; but as always it's best to try to blend in. This area is another cash buy. Have you seen the interest rate – 24.5% ouch! However due to the popularity of this area as a resort for the holiday maker looking for something different property prices have to rise. Expect to sell to another holiday maker soon catching wind of the rapid growth in prices. They too will be cash buyers so there will be a limit to the selling price, say £75,000 max in a few years. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hot Website: | www.accra.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estate Agents: | Name | Address | Tel | Web | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Waeco Properties | No. 16. 4th Circular Road Cantonments P.O. Box 632 Accra | +233-(021) 775570 | www.waecoproperties.com info@waecoproperties.com
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| ASV Homes | P.O. Box 244 Legon, Accra Ghana, West Africa | +233 021-512-781, +233 027-603-324 | www.asvhomes.com sales@asvhomes.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New England estates Ltd, | +233-21-222202 | www.newengland.com.gh/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Punch Ghana | C485/14 Nii Bone Cr. Dzorwula, Accra Ghana P.M.B. 183 Accra-North | +233-24320476 | www.ghanahouse.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Letting Agents: | Name | Address | Tel | Web | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Punch Ghana | C485/14 Nii Bone Cr. Dzorwula, Accra Ghana P.M.B. 183 Accra-North | +233-24320476 | www.ghanahouse.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASV Homes | P.O. Box 244 Legon, Accra Ghana, West Africa | +233 021-512-781, +233 027-603-324 | www.asvhomes.com sales@asvhomes.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||