Essentials
- City
- Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
- Population
- Approximately 180,000
- Internet Speed
- 15-25 Mbps on 4G/LTE; Fiber available in select spots via MTN and Surfline
- Currency & Banking
- Ghanaian Cedi (GHS). 1 USD ≈ 13.50 GHS, 1 EUR ≈ 14.60 GHS
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Voltic or Awake (approx. 5 GHS per 1.5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) sockets; frequent power fluctuations, suggest stabilizers
- SIM Card
- MTN Ghana (best coverage), Vodafone (Telecel), and AirtelTigo; available at Ho Central Market
- Banking for Expats
- GCB Bank, Ecobank, and Stanbic Bank; mobile money (MoMo) is the primary payment method
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and hotels predominate; monthly rentals range from 1,200 GHS to 4,500 GHS
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially; Mobile Money (MTN MoMo) is used everywhere, but credit cards are rare outside big hotels
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is limited; better to use SkyPlus Hotel or private guesthouses like Weka Eco-Lodge
- Budget Accommodation
- Chance Hotel (approx. 250 GHS/night) or many local guesthouses near the Ho Technical University
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Adaklu-side or Kabore; higher elevation areas with better views and breeze
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Civic Centre or Little Bethlehem for proximity to better infrastructure and cafes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Node Eight (formerly Ho Node Hub) located near the Stadium; offers reliable fiber and workspace for ~50 GHS/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Tasty Treats (near the main road) or the restaurant at SkyPlus Hotel for the views and Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Tech events and entrepreneurship workshops hosted regularly at Node Eight
- Social Events for Expats
- Social gatherings at the many 'Spots' (outdoor bars) like Mirage Pub on weekends
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt operates intermittently; local 'Shared Taxis' (yellow fenders) and 'Pragias' (tricycles) are the standard
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- No formal rental apps; negotiate daily rates with local Okada (motorcycle) riders (approx. 100 GHS/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- None (landlocked); closest is Keta Beach, approx. 2 hours drive
- Top Regional Airline
- Africa World Airlines (AWA) or PassionAir (flights from Accra to Ho Airport are currently seasonal)
- Top International Airline
- KLM, Emirates, and British Airways fly into Accra (ACC), followed by a 3-hour drive to Ho
- Highway Access
- N2 Highway connects Ho to Accra and the northern regions
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Ho Central Lorry Station (STC and VIP buses transport to Accra for ~80-100 GHS)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; pay cash to 'Mates' (conductors) in Trotros (minibuses)
- Regional Travel
- STC Bus for long distances or shared taxis for local Volta Region travel
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ho Teaching Hospital (Trafalgar); generally considered the best facility in the region
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- SkyPlus Hotel occasionally hosts wellness retreats; no dedicated yoga studios currently exist
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The gym at the Ho Stadium or the fitness center at Freedom Hotel (approx. 30 GHS per session)
- Laundry Services
- Local dry cleaners near the Ho Municipal Hospital; per-item pricing (shirst ~10 GHS)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo (limited); most use local dispatch riders via WhatsApp
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Akple with Fetridetsi (Okra soup); try it at Mawuli’s Kitchen
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Roots Herbal Center; focuses on plant-based local diets
- Best Dessert Spots
- The bakery at Parks and Gardens or Tasty Treats for cakes and pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Ho Central Market for fresh produce and local crafts
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia Ghana (delivery to Ho pick-up stations is reliable)
- Grocery Delivery
- Contact personal shoppers at Ho Central Market; no formal app
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The 'Mirage' area and the road leading to the Residency for bars and grills
- Local Brewery
- Local Pito (millet beer) and Palm Wine available at 'Palmy' joints in the suburbs
- Wine Bars
- Oxygen Lounge for a more upscale drink selection
- Street Food Stalls
- Kelewele (spicy fried plantain) vendors near the Stadium at night
- Popular International Cuisine
- Freedom Hotel Restaurant for continental and Indian-inspired dishes
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mount Afadja (highest point in Ghana) and Wli Waterfalls (approx. 1.5 hours north)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Volta Regional Museum (displays Ewe culture and German colonial history)
- Historical Sites
- German Colonial Colonial Buildings scattered near the city center
- Religious Sites
- Holy Spirit Cathedral (Catholic) and various Protestant churches
- Annual Events
- Asogli Te Za (Yam Festival) in September/October with massive durbars
- Cultural Districts
- Heve and Bankoe (traditional seats of the local chiefs)
- Theater Venues
- The GNAT Hall hosts local plays and choral performances
- Local Markets
- Ho Central Market; operating at full capacity every 4th day (Market Day)
- Music Scene
- Highlife and Hiplife music at various open-air pubs like 'The White House'
- Street Art
- Murals on the walls of the Ho Technical University campus
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes can be arranged at Weka Eco-Lodge
- Art Galleries
- Small craft shops near the Regional Museum selling Kente cloth and wood carvings
- Historic Buildings
- The old German Residency building
- Local Heritage
- Ewe Kente weaving traditions, distinct from the Ashanti style
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Adaklu (the mountain overlooking the city); perfect for a half-day hike
- National Parks Nearby
- Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary (approx. 1 hour drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The road up to the 'Top' (SkyPlus area) is a popular walking/running route for locals
- Scenic Viewpoints
- SkyPlus Hotel terrace offers a panoramic view of the entire city
- Birdwatching Locations
- The lush hills surrounding the Kalakpa Game Production Reserve
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Possible at rural campsites like Weka Eco-Lodge with permission
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Ghana Post (EMS) and FedEx/DHL branches located near the Civic Centre
- Tech Repair Services
- Numerous small shops around 'Rabazigga' junction for mobile and laptop repair
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ho Stadium sports complex
- Language Classes
- Private tutors for Ewe language can be found through the University
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Volta Regional Library near the Civic Centre; quiet and student-friendly
- Community Centers
- Ho Municipal Community Centre for local gatherings
- Gaming Lounges
- Small PS5/Xbox lounges found near the Ho Technical University
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; nearest major gaming venues are in Accra
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 2,000 GHS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 80,000 GHS)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,200 GHS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 48,000 GHS)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 2,500 GHS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 150,000 GHS)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,500 GHS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 90,000 GHS)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 2,300 GHS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 184,000 GHS)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,400 GHS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 112,000 GHS)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard rate in Ghana
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 8%
- Tax System
- Residency-based; taxes on world-wide income for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (for income above 600,000 GHS annually)
- VAT
- 15% (plus additional levies like NHIL, total ~21.9%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Ghana has transfer pricing and CFC regulations
- Property Tax
- Yes, administered yearly by the Ho Municipal Assembly
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty varies from 0.25% to 1% depending on the value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific 'nomad' tax breaks, but lower cost of living makes it attractive