ghana
Why Film here?
Ghana combines rich history, warm culture and genuine variety – Atlantic beaches, rainforest, savanna, colonial forts and vibrant cities – with English as the official language and a reputation as one of West Africa’s most stable and welcoming nations.
- English-speaking, safe, stable and welcoming
- Powerful heritage locations – the UNESCO slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina
- Rainforest, savanna, beaches, lakes and lively cities
- Rich Ashanti and coastal culture, crafts and festivals
- Strong for documentary, heritage, music, fashion and commercial work
- A new 20% tax rebate for qualifying productions, plus equipment-duty relief
- Growing local film industry and crew base
- Good regional access as a West African hub
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Capital City
Accra
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Main Cities
Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi and Cape Coast
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Main Languages
English (official); Twi, Ga, Ewe and others
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Currency
Ghanaian cedi (GHS)
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Weather
Ghana has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons - Dry Season (November – April): Best for filming, with clear skies and minimal rainfall. Wet Season (May – October): Characterized by heavy rains, which may impact outdoor shoots.
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Climate
Tropical – humid on the coast, drier in the north, with a dry Harmattan season
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Best Time to Shoot
November to March (dry season)
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Main Production Hubs
Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast
Production Services
Our Ghana production services include:
- Local Producers
- Film Fixers
- Production Management
- Film, Video & Stills Crew
- Camera Equipment
- Lighting & Grip
- Drone Operators
- Location Scouting
- Film Permits
- Casting
- Transport & Logistics
- Crew & Cast Accommodation
- Security
- Catering
Crew & Equipment
Ghana has a growing, capable crew base experienced in commercials, documentaries, music videos, television and stills, centred on Accra and Kumasi.
Available crew includes local producers, fixers, production managers, camera operators, drone operators, sound, art department, stylists and production assistants, with senior technical crew and specialist gear supplemented from the region when needed.
Camera, lighting and grip equipment is available in Accra for many productions; larger or specialist packages may be brought in from abroad or neighbouring hubs.
Top Filming Locations
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Cape Coast Castle
UNESCO World Heritage slave fort on the Atlantic.
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Mole National Park
Savanna elephants and plains game in the north.
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Lake Volta & Akosombo Dam
One of the world's largest reservoirs
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Jamestown, Accra
Lighthouse, boxing gyms and a vibrant fishing community.
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Aburi Botanical Gardens
Mature tropical gardens above Accra.
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Kakum National Park
Rainforest canopy walkway high in the trees.
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Wli Waterfalls
Wli Waterfalls, Volta Region - Ghana's highest waterfall in green hills.
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Elmina Castle & fishing harbour
Oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa, above a teeming harbour.
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Black Star Square & Independence Arch, Accra
Ceremonial civic space.
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Makola & Osu, Accra
Bustling markets, street life and nightlife.
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Kumasi – Manhyia Palace & Kejetia Market
shanti royal heritage and a vast market.
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Ashanti craft villages
Bonwire kente weaving and Ntonso adinkra cloth.
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Nzulezo stilt village
A community built entirely over water.
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Busua & Butre beaches
Relaxed surf beaches on the west coast.
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Ada Foah
Where the Volta River meets the Atlantic.
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Larabanga Mosque
Ancient Sudanese-style mud-and-stick mosque.
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Paga crocodile ponds
Villagers and sacred crocodiles in the far north.
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Boti Falls
Twin waterfalls in a forest gorge.
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Shai Hills Reserve
Savanna, baboons and rock formations near Accra.
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Accra art, music & street culture
Murals, studios and the city's creative scene.
Luxury Hotel & Resort Options
Ghana’s better hotels and coastal resorts suit hospitality, lifestyle and corporate productions. Access for filming is subject to approval and availability.
- Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra – Ghana’s flagship luxury hotel.
- Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra – Established beachfront hotel and gardens.
- Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra – Central business and lifestyle hotel.
- The Royal Senchi, Akosombo – Riverside resort on the Volta.
- Peduase Valley Resort – Hillside resort above Accra.
- Elmina Bay Resort – Coastal resort near the castles.
Crew & Cast Accommodation
Cast and crew accommodation is strongest in Accra, with good options in Kumasi and near Cape Coast. We arrange group bookings, transfers and regional logistics to match the schedule.
- Luxury (talent, directors, key clients)
Kempinski Gold Coast City / Labadi Beach Hotel – Premium Accra bases for talent and clients. - Mid-range (main crew, production team)
Accra: Mövenpick, Alisa Hotel and Accra City Hotel – Reliable mid-range business hotels.
Kumasi: Golden Tulip and Lancaster Kumasi City – Comfortable crew bases.
Cape Coast: Ridge Royal Hotel and Elmina Bay Resort – Convenient for the castles and Kakum. - Budget & serviced options (extended crew, longer shoots)
Accra guesthouses and serviced apartments – Value, flexible options for larger crews.
Regional town hotels and lodges – Practical bases near northern and Volta locations.
Accommodation availability and rates vary by season and should be booked well in advance. African Fixer manages crew and cast bookings, transfers and per-location logistics as part of production support.
Best Time to Shoot
- November to March – Dry season with the most reliable shooting conditions.
- The Harmattan (December to February) – Dry, hazy desert-wind light in the north, worth planning around for clarity and drone work.
- April to October – Wetter, greener seasons with heavier rains around May–June and September–October.
- The north (Mole, Larabanga) is best in the dry season for road access and wildlife.
Visa Requirements
International cast and crew should confirm visa and work permission requirements before travelling. Typical documents may include a valid passport, flight details, accommodation details, invitation letter, crew list and equipment list.
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Required Documentation
Valid passport, Completed visa application form, Proof of accommodation, Return travel itinerary
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Timings
2–3 weeks
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Cost
Single-entry visa: $75–$100 (varies by nationality)
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Additional Requirements
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. Additional vaccinations such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Malaria prophylaxis are recommended.
Airport Tax
A $100 departure tax is included in flight tickets. No separate application is needed.
International Crew Accreditation
International productions may require local coordination, film permissions and supporting letters depending on the production type, locations and crew nationality, and should work with an in-country fixer or service company.
General Film Permit
Filming permits and accreditation are arranged through the National Film Authority (NFA) and relevant bodies. Heritage sites such as the Cape Coast and Elmina castles require permission from the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, and national parks require park permits. Work through a local fixer and allow lead time.
Drone Permit
Commercial drone filming requires registration and a permit from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and should be arranged in advance, particularly near airports, cities and sensitive sites.
Equipment Customs Clearance
Professional equipment can usually be temporarily imported with the correct customs documentation. An ATA Carnet may be used where applicable, and equipment lists should be prepared in advance.
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Clearance Process
Declare all equipment upon arrival. A customs deposit may be required. Fixers can assist with the clearance process.
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Required Documentation
Crew list with equipment details, Equipment values and serial numbers
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Timings
1–2 weeks
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Cost
5–10% of equipment value
Safety and Security
Ghana is one of West Africa’s safest and most stable countries, with good infrastructure in Accra and Kumasi. Standard urban precautions apply, roads in remote areas require planning, and malaria precautions are advised. Private medical facilities are best in Accra.
Rebates & Incentives
Ghana has announced a new 20% tax rebate for strategic film productions, alongside VAT reliefs and reduced import duties on production equipment, as part of a wider push to attract international productions and grow the local industry.
As this incentive is new and its criteria are still being defined, African Fixer will confirm the current eligibility rules, qualifying spend and application process during planning, so clients budget on accurate, up-to-date terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Permits and accreditation are arranged through the National Film Authority, with separate permissions for heritage castles and national parks.
Yes. Ghana has a growing, capable crew base in Accra and Kumasi, with senior technical crew and specialist gear supplemented from the region when needed.
Yes, with permission from the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and the correct location fees.
Hotels in Accra and Kumasi and coastal hotels near Cape Coast, with group bookings and transfers arranged for you.
Yes, with the correct customs paperwork; an ATA Carnet may be used, and new duty reliefs may apply to qualifying productions.
Yes. Drone filming requires registration and a permit from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, arranged in advance.
Yes. Ghana has introduced a new 20% tax rebate for qualifying productions, plus duty relief. We confirm the current criteria before you budget.
Yes, especially for heritage, documentary, music, fashion and commercial work, and it is safe, English-speaking and welcoming.
Yes. We provide full production support from planning through to wrap.
Did you know?
The castles of Cape Coast and Elmina are among the most powerful and historically significant filming locations in Africa – UNESCO World Heritage sites central to the transatlantic story – standing directly above living fishing harbours that have carried on around them for centuries.
PRO TIP:
Shoot the north (Mole, Larabanga, Paga) and the castles in the dry season, and use the Harmattan window for its distinctive hazy light – but plan drone and wide vistas around the haze, which can soften long-distance clarity.
Jeremiah - Ghana
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