Credit card declined in Ghana

From my last trip, card rejection was frequent in Ghana. ATMs outside major cities often didn’t accept my card at all. I had the best luck with Standard Chartered Bank ATMs. In shops, malls accepted Visa, but corner stores and local eateries asked for cash. Plan to spend 600-800 GHS daily for transport, meals, and sightseeing. Always carry cedis in cash-it’s the only guaranteed way to pay once you’re outside Accra or Kumasi.

In my experience, Ghana can be frustrating for card users. ATMs at Barclays (now Absa) sometimes accepted my Visa, but my Mastercard kept getting declined. Stores in Accra Mall and bigger hotels were fine with cards, but local markets and smaller shops all required cash. Budget 500-700 GHS per day to cover meals, taxis, and entry to sites like Kakum National Park. It’s better to withdraw in larger amounts from a working ATM, because you can’t count on every machine.

I ran into the same issue in Ghana with my Mastercard being declined even though my bank had enabled international use. Trust Bank and Ecobank ATMs in Accra finally worked after repeated attempts. Hotels and upscale restaurants accepted cards, but street vendors and tro-tro minibuses only wanted cash. You’ll need about 600-800 GHS daily if you’re eating out, paying for rides, and visiting attractions. Always carry backup cash and withdraw more than you need when you find a reliable ATM.

In Ghana, foreign card declines are very common. I had issues in Accra where my Visa was refused at a couple of smaller ATMs. Ecobank and Standard Chartered worked best, while local machines often failed. Shops and restaurants in Osu or malls usually accepted cards, but once you leave the capital, expect cash-only. I carried around 500-700 GHS daily for food, taxis, and sightseeing like Cape Coast Castle. Don’t depend on one card-have a Mastercard and Visa plus cash in Ghanaian cedis for smoother travel.