ATM ate my card in Ghana

My HSBC debit was captured by an Ecobank ATM in Kumasi on a Saturday, and the branch was closed until Monday. When I returned, they said foreign cards were automatically sent back to the issuing bank for security, so they couldn’t release it. I had no choice but to cancel and switch to my backup Monzo Mastercard. Ghana is still very cash-heavy, so always carry enough Cedis or USD as backup. To avoid this, withdraw only during weekday business hours at large branch ATMs.

I had my Wise Visa swallowed by a Stanbic Bank ATM in Accra. I went to the branch the next morning with my passport, and after verifying my details, they returned it within an hour. The staff were friendly and used to dealing with this. GCB Bank told me they follow the same process. My advice: stick to ATMs at bank branches rather than those in petrol stations or malls, because you’ll have a higher chance of getting your card back quickly.

In Ghana, the most common ATMs are run by GCB Bank, Ecobank, and Stanbic Bank. If your card gets stuck, note the bank and location, then go to the branch during business hours with your ID. Ecobank and Stanbic usually hold the card until you show identification. If the machine is standalone, call the hotline number posted on it. In many cases, banks here don’t release foreign cards easily for security reasons, so you may need to cancel and replace it. Always contact your card issuer immediately.

Yes, my card got trapped in an Ecobank ATM in Osu, Accra. The machine just froze and never spat it out. I went inside the branch and they told me foreign-issued cards are usually destroyed for fraud reasons, not returned. I had to cancel it immediately with my UK bank. Ghana is very cash heavy anyway-markets, taxis, and food stalls near Oxford Street all wanted cedis. Luckily, I had dollars to exchange at a bureau. If you’re in Accra, use ATMs at bigger hotels like Kempinski or Movenpick for fewer issues, and keep a backup card separate.