Media accreditation

This ‘how-to note’ aims at providing guidelines to assist Danish correspondents, journalists and other media personnel travelling to Ghana with the intent of conducting press-related activities in the country. If you at any point during the process think a fee seems suspicious, please feel free to contact the Danish Embassy to ensure you are not taking part in corruption.

I. Necessary Steps

The following is a list of necessary steps to be completed when wishing to conduct press-related activities in Ghana.
A journalist reporting solely by writing should complete step 1 and 2.
A film crew must complete steps 1 through 3.
Correspondents wishing to film in culturally sensitive locations must complete steps 1 through 4.
Correspondents wishing to film specifically in Osu Castle must complete steps 1 through 5.

1) Press visa from the Embassy of Ghana in Hellerup
2) Press accreditation from the Ministry of Information in Ghana
3) Permission to bring media equipment into Ghana and waiver of the Protocol by the Embassy of Denmark in Accra
4) Security clearance from the National Security Coordinator
5) Permit from the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board for filming in Osu Castle

II. Step by Step

1. Applying for Press Visa to Ghana
Please note that there are several different visa categories for visiting Ghana, depending on the purpose of the visit. Necessary documents to be included in the application for the category “Media” can be found from the website of the Embassy of Ghana in Hellerup, together with other relevant information.

The application can either be submitted to the Embassy of Ghana in Hellerup in person or posted to their address (see contact information below). The processing time for standard visas is 10 days and 3 days for express visas which costs an extra fee.

2. Applying for Press Accreditation
All Danish press and media personnel who wish to operate in Ghana are required to complete an Application for Press Accreditation at the Embassy of Ghana in Hellerup, when applying for a visa (which may accompany the visa application). Please visit the Ghanaian Embassy in Denmark's website and follow the steps for applying here.

Once in Ghana, correspondents must physically report to the Information Services Department in Accra to collect their accreditation before undertaking any assignment. Processing may take one (1) day and a fee will be charged for the issue of the press cards of 500 GHS pr. person.

For obtaining/downloading the application form click here.

Please keep in mind that “Personnel of the Armed forces, Police, Immigration, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and Prisons should not be photographed, filmed or interviewed without prior permission being sought through the Director of Information Services”. This is also the case for interviews with Ministers of State and Government officials.

For more information, such as procedures for interviewing H.E. the President of Ghana or in the event of travel at a short notice, click here.

3. Permission to Enter Ghana with Media Equipment
When arriving at the airport in Accra, journalists will have to contact Ghana Revenue Authority and provide insurance-documentation for the media equipment and pay a bond in order to prove that the equipment is yours and is not being imported to Ghana. The amount of the bond depends on the equipment. Journalists should therefore have prepared a list declaring name, make and model of the equipment.

4. Applying for National Security Clearance
In order to visit, report from and film or photo document especially protected heritage-sites such as Osu Castle, Cape Coast Castle, Flagstaff House, Ministries, Prisons etc. a National Security Clearance is required.

The procedure is to either send a letter of application to the Ghanaian authorities at Flagstaff House stating the objectives and purpose of the coverage, or to contact the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hereunder the Embassy of Denmark in Accra, Ghana, who will then officially reach out to Flagstaff House.

5. Filming in Osu Castle
The Osu Castle is a relatively sensitive cultural heritage site and the Ghanaian authorities are therefore especially protective of the Castle. As a result, the process of applying for and receiving permission to cover and film in and outside Osu Castle is complicated and time consuming.

Correspondents are required to have National Security Clearance and Press Accreditation from Information Service Department under the Ministry of Information. The application letter for permission to conduct media-related activities in Osu Castle must be sent to the Information Service Department which should explain the purpose and what/when/how of the coverage.

The Ghana Museums and Monuments Board will process the request in one (1) day once the application has been received with these two clearances at a fee of GHS 3000.00 as per National Museums Regulation, 1973 E.I 29 Section 19 and Fees and Charges (Amendment) Instrument, 2014 (L.I 2216).

III. Contact information