Here are a few things we learned recently that might make your travel a little easier.
You need to get a PCR covid test to travel to Ghana. We got our covid test at the American Family Care (AFC) clinic in Nampa. Be sure to request the PCR test. When they do this test, they also automatically do a rapid test that is a viral test that does not qualify, but as I explain below, it saved us in Chicago. You walk out of the clinic with your rapid results, and they will email you your PCR results within 48-72 hours.
I was nervous that our PCR results would not arrive in time, so I took our rapid result tests and added the following FDA page as our test cover sheet, as if it came with our rapid test. You can click on the image below and it will take you to the website where there is a clean copy of this report. I just attached the first page of this PDA report to my rapid test results (I did not use the second page).
You need to get a PCR covid test to travel to Ghana. We got our covid test at the American Family Care (AFC) clinic in Nampa. Be sure to request the PCR test. When they do this test, they also automatically do a rapid test that is a viral test that does not qualify, but as I explain below, it saved us in Chicago. You walk out of the clinic with your rapid results, and they will email you your PCR results within 48-72 hours.
I was nervous that our PCR results would not arrive in time, so I took our rapid result tests and added the following FDA page as our test cover sheet, as if it came with our rapid test. You can click on the image below and it will take you to the website where there is a clean copy of this report. I just attached the first page of this PDA report to my rapid test results (I did not use the second page).
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Note that at the top of the above FDA page it says a “molecular test” is also known as a PCR test
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When checking in for our flight in Chicago, we still did not have our PCR results, so I showed the lady our rapid test results with the FDA sheet. Our rapid results said at the top “molecular test”. The agent looked at our results sheet and said, “This doesn't say that it is a PCR test. It says it is a molecular test." So I said, "Yes, it is very confusing, and this is why the clinic gave us this form to make sure it was clear that you would know the molecular test is a PCR test", and I pointed to the spot at the top of the FDA report where it says this. She wasn't easily convinced so she asked her supervisor, and eventually they said "OK. Good enough."
By the time we got to NYC we received our PCR results and all was good. I didn’t like this process, so get your test right when the 72 hour window begins.
Before arriving in Ghana, you also need to pay for the test you will have in the Accra airport shortly after your arrival. Here is the link to the prepayment website. Be sure to keep your receipt to show the people at the airport. It is a pretty slick process at the Accra airport. This is the easiest part of the trip.
Finally, this was not on the Ghana Embassy website, but there is another online form you need to fill out before arriving in Ghana (you can do it at the airport, but do it before). It is called a “Port Health Declaration Form”. Here is the link to fill out this form. After you submit this form, there is no verification or receipt, but when I got to Ghana my name was on a list and they let me right through. This was a confusing part of the trip for many people, so do this beforehand and life will be easier.
You also need a covid test to get back into the USA. The health clinic at the Ghana airport does this for you. You do not prepay for this one like you did for the test at the airport when you arrive in Ghana; you pay at the clinic. This covid testing process can be CRAZY, so I recommend that you go to the clinic the day before your return flight, get the test done, pay the expedite fee for 5-hour results, and then go back the next day just before you are going to check into your flight and pick up your test results. This worked very well for me. Our friends did it all on the same day, their departure day. Their return flight departed at 10pm (this is the most common time), and they went to the clinic that same morning and got their test and picked up the results later. It was crazy, and you’d think you’d have plenty of time, but in Ghana it isn’t so easy.
None of this replaces the standard green emmigration form that you fill out upon arriving and upon departing Ghana. This form is discussed in our volunteer handbook.
By the time we got to NYC we received our PCR results and all was good. I didn’t like this process, so get your test right when the 72 hour window begins.
Before arriving in Ghana, you also need to pay for the test you will have in the Accra airport shortly after your arrival. Here is the link to the prepayment website. Be sure to keep your receipt to show the people at the airport. It is a pretty slick process at the Accra airport. This is the easiest part of the trip.
Finally, this was not on the Ghana Embassy website, but there is another online form you need to fill out before arriving in Ghana (you can do it at the airport, but do it before). It is called a “Port Health Declaration Form”. Here is the link to fill out this form. After you submit this form, there is no verification or receipt, but when I got to Ghana my name was on a list and they let me right through. This was a confusing part of the trip for many people, so do this beforehand and life will be easier.
You also need a covid test to get back into the USA. The health clinic at the Ghana airport does this for you. You do not prepay for this one like you did for the test at the airport when you arrive in Ghana; you pay at the clinic. This covid testing process can be CRAZY, so I recommend that you go to the clinic the day before your return flight, get the test done, pay the expedite fee for 5-hour results, and then go back the next day just before you are going to check into your flight and pick up your test results. This worked very well for me. Our friends did it all on the same day, their departure day. Their return flight departed at 10pm (this is the most common time), and they went to the clinic that same morning and got their test and picked up the results later. It was crazy, and you’d think you’d have plenty of time, but in Ghana it isn’t so easy.
None of this replaces the standard green emmigration form that you fill out upon arriving and upon departing Ghana. This form is discussed in our volunteer handbook.
