Ghana has become one of the top holiday destination countries in Africa.
The country’s famous Kente textile amongst other things such as chocolate tasting and other fun opportunities have made Ghana an exciting place to visit.
Lagos State, on the other hand, was once the capital city of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is one of the busiest and most vibrant locations in Nigeria today. It is the largest city in the country, hence Nigeria’s economic hub.
Road trips are one of the best ways to get the most out of a journey if you are someone who loves to explore. Lagos and Ghana are both in West Africa so travelling between both countries is not so much of a problem. In fact, to date, Ghana and Benin remain the two easiest countries for citizens of Nigeria to visit, in terms of ease of transportation and favourable border control.
WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO TRAVEL BY ROAD FROM LAGOS TO GHANA?
1. INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT
Citizens of Nigeria do not need a visa to go to Ghana but a valid Nigerian international passport must be made available for immigration officers at the border. This is what makes you identify as a true Nigerian citizen.
2. ECOWAS PASSPORT
An ECOWAS passport is only issued to nationals of West African states. It can be used in place of an international passport which means you can travel with it if you do not have an international passport.
3. YELLOW CARD
A yellow card, as it is called, is a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever and it is mandatory for every traveller to have one. A yellow card can be purchased at the airport clinic on the way to the Muritala Muhammad International airport for about two thousand naira. It is important that you ensure that you have been given the right card, not an old one or a fake. The one with you must be bright yellow.
4. ADDITIONAL MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION
Carrying along an extra means of identification is not compulsory. It is just an extra precautionary measure that pays to be heeded.
5. PROOF OF ACCOMMODATION IN GHANA
It is necessary to have a valid proof of accommodation for the entire duration of your stay in Ghana because some of the immigration officers sometimes ask this.
TRANSPORT FROM LAGOS TO GHANA
There are a lot of transport services in Lagos who also offer rides to other countries, most especially Ghana.
Some of the Nigerian transport companies that travel from Lagos to Ghana are:
1. ABC Transport
2. God Is Good Motors
3. GUO Transport
4. EFEX Executive Transport
5. CHISCO Motors
6. Cross Country Motors
To book any of these services you can check their websites and mobile applications. Your budget for transportation should be about 20,000 naira. They leave Lagos at around 6:00 a.m so be sure to have arrived at the park before then.
TRAVELLING TO GHANA
The journey from Lagos to Accra is about 12 hours without delay and unnecessary stops. With delays, it is possible for the journey to last up to a full day. The ride should be smooth with no hassle. But sitting down in a spot for that long is definitely going to wear you out so you need to pack things that will keep you busy on your trip.
THINGS YOU NEED TO PACK FOR YOUR TRIP
1. A CAMERA
The scenery on the way to Ghana is amazing from trees to beaches and the culture of the locals. Taking photographs of the view is fun and you can keep the photos for later memories.
2. DRINKABLE WATER
Water is a must-have when going on road trips because it will help you to stay hydrated. It is also important to moderately drink the water so that you won’t have to stop frequently to use the toilet. It is usually preferable to travel on a transport service that has a toilet on the bus for convenience.
3. SNACKS
It is also very important to stock up on your favourite snacks because the buses will only make a maximum of 3 stops. That way you will be properly fed and not be feeling hungry.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROAD TRAVEL FROM LAGOS TO ACCRA
The first thing you need to know about your trip is that the bus will make 3 mandatory stops at country borders.
The first stop will be at the Lagos-Cotonou border popularly known as Seme Border. The Seme Border is a busy one; the appropriate authorities routinely come around for checks and sometimes to search for contrabands. They sometimes request certain payments from travellers too. The language spoken here is French and few locals speak English but it might not be fluent.
It is important that you do not take pictures at the border to avoid interrogations. You will be required to pay a stamping fee of 300 naira.
The second stop will be at the Cotonou-Togo border known as Hilla Condji. You’ll also pay 300 CFA for stamps here. The place for payment of a stamped passport is a short walk up. The border is also very busy. Every passenger will be required to cross the border on foot. Food vendors are present with all sorts of food and you can still make payments here in naira. The officials might request to search you.
The last stop to be made is at the Aflao Border. Aflao is a small town that separates Togo from Ghana. This is the least crowded and more organised of all the borders you will cross. You are not required to make payment for anything. The officials there speak in English and will only ask you a few questions.
Have a wonderful trip to Ghana and be sure to enjoy your stay!