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Back to Tema

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Voykit pocket guide · Ghana

Tema

Skip Tema as a destination: it's an industrial port city. Use it only for a port transfer or a commuter train ride from Accra. Half a day is enough for the fish market.

Tema is Ghana's second-largest city and industrial hub, home to the country's biggest port. It has a lively fish market and a commuter train from Accra, but few tourist sights. Most travellers pass through on the way to the Volta region or Ada, not stay.

AbeaseAburiAda FoahAdaAdanwomaseAdenta EastAflaoAgonaAhwiaaAkwidaaApamAximBamboiBawkuTema200 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Ghana
Best months
Nov–Mar, Aug
Avoid
Apr–Jun (heavy rain)
Stay
0 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
GHS
Money
Currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS, GH₵). Cards work in larger hotels, malls and some restaurants in Accra; most other payments are cash.
Daily spend
Budget GH₵ 150–250 · Mid GH₵ 250–400 · High GH₵ 400+ (estimate; check)
SIM and data
MTN has the widest coverage, with Telecel (ex-Vodafone) and AT as alternatives; SIMs need a passport and Ghana Card-style biometric registration for foreigners at a company shop — check.
Emergency
Police 191 · Fire 192 · Ambulance 193 · General emergency 112
Plugs
Types G, D · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin sockets are standard; bring a surge-protected adapter for power cuts ('dumsor').
Tipping
Chop bar or street food: Nothing.; Sit-down restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is added.; Driver day: GH₵50–100 a day.; Castle or park guide: GH₵30–60 per group.; Hotel porter: GH₵5–10.
Water
Not safe from the tap. Bottled water or sealed sachets from known brands are sold everywhere.
Toilets
Western toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; public toilets charge a few cedis. Carry tissue.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Tro-tro ride within TemaGH₵ 2–5
Taxi from Tema to AccraGH₵ 50–80
Fish at the market (per kg)GH₵ 15–30
Bottle of water (0.5 L)GH₵ 1–2
Local beer (Club or Star)GH₵ 5–8

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

ACC · Kotoka International Airport
About 30–45 min by taxi or tro-tro via the N1 motorway

Typical fares

Commuter train Accra–Tema
about GH₵ 5, about 30 min (check)
Taxi Accra airport → Tema
GH₵ 150–200 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Taxis and tro-tros are the main options. The N1 motorway connects Tema to Accra. The commuter train runs from Tema Community 1 station to Accra (check schedule).

See and do

Known for

  • Tema Harbour
  • Fish Market
  • Commuter train from Accra

Day trips

WhereHowTime
AccraCommuter train or taxi via N1 motorwayAbout 30–45 min
Ada FoahTaxi or tro-tro east along the coastAbout 1–1.5 h
KokrobiteTaxi via Accra, about 1 hAbout 1.5 h

Sleep

Community 1 area
Near the railway station and main road; basic hotels and guesthouses.
Harbour area
Closer to the fish market and port; limited options, mostly for business travellers.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloAkwaabaah-kwah-bah
Thank youMedaaseme-dah-seh
How much?Ɛyɛ sɛn?eh-yeh sen
I don't understandMente aseɛmen-teh ah-seh
PleaseMepa wo kyɛwme-pah woh cheh-oo

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake with the right hand, ask after health and family; avoid: Starting with a question
  • Elders: Stand when an elder enters and let them speak first; avoid: Crossed legs in front of chiefs
  • Hands: Right hand for everything; avoid: Passing money with the left
  • Dress: Smart clothes for churches, offices and palaces; avoid: Beachwear in town
  • Photos: Ask first; offer to show the picture; avoid: Photographing police, soldiers or funerals without permission
  • Funerals: Weekend funerals are public events; guests wear black, red or white as the family specifies; avoid: Treating them as a sight

Scams and watch-outs

  • The fish market is closed on Tuesdays.
  • The harbour area can be busy and dirty; watch your step.
  • Commuter train schedules are not always reliable: check at the station.

Tema is generally safe, but the harbour and fish market area can be crowded and dirty. Keep valuables out of sight and avoid walking alone at night in industrial zones.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Tema yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Tema Harbour
  • Fish Market
  • Commuter train from Accra

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Tema

Fa me kɔ adresa yi

Take me to this address

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Twi (Akan) is widely spoken; English works in hotels and taxis.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/tema). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.