Ghana health declaration: what every traveller must do before arriving

Last updated: 6 November 2026

What it is and why

The Ghana Health Declaration is an online form from the Ghana Health Service (GHS), run by its Port Health Department. It asks about your journey, the countries you visited and how you feel. When you submit it, you get a QR code that you show to Port Health officers when you land.

The Ministry of Health announced the new rules on 3 November 2026, because of an outbreak of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) in some African countries. At the time of the announcement, Ghana had no confirmed case. The checks are there to keep it that way.

Who must fill it in, and when

• All arriving passengers, whatever your nationality and wherever you fly from. That includes Ghanaians coming home.
• Children under 12: a parent or guardian fills in the form for them. Do one declaration per child.
• When: before you arrive. The authorities have not set a number of hours or days. We suggest doing it a day or two before your flight, once you know where you will stay, and keeping the QR code on your phone.
• Submitting needs an internet connection, so don't leave it for the plane.

What to have ready

• Your passport or other identity document, and its number
• Your flight details and arrival date
• The countries you visited or passed through in the last 21 days, including stopovers
• Your address in Ghana: family home, hotel or other accommodation
• A phone number where Port Health can reach you (call, SMS or WhatsApp), and an email address if you have one
• An emergency contact in Ghana and one in your home country

Step by step

1. Open ehds.ghs.gov.gh/declaration. The site is in English and French.
2. Before you begin: read the information page.
3. Passenger information: name, sex, date of birth, nationality, profession and your identity document.
4. Travel information: your flight and the countries of the last 21 days.
5. Health screening: questions about symptoms, possible exposure and medication. Answer honestly.
6. Accommodation: where you will stay in Ghana, and your emergency contacts.
7. Declaration: check your answers, sign and submit. Your QR code appears straight away. If you gave an email address, your reference number is also sent by email.

Lost the QR code? Use "Find my receipt" on the website, with your document number, date of birth and arrival date. On a shared computer, use "Clear this device" when you are done.

The official website does not mention any fee. If another website asks you to pay for this declaration, be careful, and use ehds.ghs.gov.gh instead.

At the airport

• Show your QR code to the Port Health officer. Have it ready on your phone, or take a screenshot in case there is no signal.
• Expect a temperature check without contact, and possibly a few questions about your journey and how you feel.
• Passengers with symptoms or possible exposure may be temporarily isolated for evaluation and referred to a health facility. This is a precaution, not a punishment.

After you arrive: the 21 days

• If you arrive from a country with ongoing Ebola transmission, Port Health may follow up with you for up to 21 days. Keep your phone reachable and report any symptoms at once.
• Hotels and conference venues must report guests from affected countries to the local health directorate and keep their contact details.
• The 21-day follow-up is for travellers from countries with ongoing transmission. Everyone else still fills in the declaration and goes through the arrival check.

If you feel unwell

The Ghana Health Service lists these symptoms: fever, severe weakness or tiredness, headache, vomiting or diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.

• Before travel: if you have these symptoms, postpone your trip and see a doctor.
• On the plane or at the airport: tell the cabin crew or a Port Health officer immediately.
• In Ghana: call the Ghana Health Service emergency health line 1800, or ask a Port Health officer at your point of entry.

Still required: visa and yellow fever

The health declaration is in addition to the usual rules. You still need a visa if you travel on a foreign passport, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Our guide Visiting Ghana in December covers visas, yellow fever, malaria and money.

Quick checklist

• Declaration done on ehds.ghs.gov.gh, one per child under 12
• QR code saved on your phone (and a screenshot)
• Address in Ghana and two emergency contacts written down
• Phone reachable in Ghana (SIM or WhatsApp)
• Passport, visa and yellow fever certificate
• Travel health insurance