The best, fastest & cheapest ways to send money to Ghana

The exchange rate determines how much GHS the recipient will get when you transfer money to Ghana.

For example, today, the average exchange rate between US Dollar and Ghan Cedi is 11.51.

The rate constantly fluctuates depending on the destination currency and the market conditions, so timing your transfer can help you save a lot of money.

Sometimes, waiting a day or two can help you get more GHS.

If you do need to send GHS now, we suggest using WorldRemit.

The cheapest way to pay for your transfer to Ghana is via bank transfer with WorldRemit. It is 0% cheaper than the next best option.

The way you pay affects the cost, speed, and the amount of GHS you receive.

Here are your cheapest options:

*Based on a 7,000 transfer to Ghana using our comparison data. Transfer time is based on averages from multiple companies.

Avoid using a credit card option for transfers to Ghana, as it’s the most expensive.

Credit card transfers to Ghana come with cash advance fees and higher interest rates on GHS.

When possible, avoid sending GHS over the SWIFT network. Despite its name, SWIFT transfers to Ghana are slower with steeper fees.

Some services have limits on how much you can transfer, both minimum and maximum thresholds.

The particular processes, fees, and requirements for sending money to Ghana will depend mainly on the amount you’re transferring.

Sending under $1,000 to Ghana

Smaller transfers of less than $1,000 can be readily accommodated by any money transfer provider that serves the region.

Wise may be the best option in this situation.

Sending $1,000 or more to Ghana

Most providers allow for transfers greater than $1,000; in this case, however, a provider that uses flat fees is preferable. WorldRemit more than fits the bill.

Sending $10,000 or more to Ghana

For sizable transfers of $10,000 or more, you’ll want to look for an established provider with experience transferring large amounts efficiently and securely.

Sending $100,000 or more to Ghana

You must work with specialty providers or exchange brokers focused on large-scale exchanges for significant expenditures like real estate or investments.

Companies like Global Reach and Moneycorp may be of service in this situation.

In general, the quicker you need GHS delivered, the more it will cost you in fees.

Transfer speed to Ghana depends on the GHS amount, the time you initiate the transfer, and your payment method.

Take, for instance, an urgent need to transfer 7,000 from the US to Ghana.

Overall, of 9 companies serving Ghana, Xoom is the fastest regardless of the deposit method.

For bank or debit card deposits, services like Xoom excel in this regard, offering near-instantaneous and cheapest GHS transfers with $0 or $0 fees respectively and 2.3% markup.

For most urgent transfers to Ghana, cash pickup will be the fastest, via Western Union or Ria Money.

Avoid SWIFT for GHS transfers as it's slower due to intermediary banks in Ghana.

There are a few ways to send money to Ghana:

Online

You can send money to Ghana with a money transfer provider. You can either choose to use a managed service like an FX broker, or an online-only company.

We found that WorldRemit is the overall best online money transfer provider according to our analysis.

App

Most money transfer services supporting Ghana transfers have an app, often, offering a better GHS rate. You can use our guide to the best money transfer apps to find the one that fits your needs.

In-person

Cash transfers to Ghana in person via Ria Money Transfers or Western Union are almost always instant, but require the recipient to visit the nearest agent to collect GHS.

Money orders

Another option is to send a money order using the postal service in your country. It is a less accepted method but often can be sent to harder-to-reach locations.

There are different ways to receive money in Ghana. You can make a direct bank deposit, send cash for pickup or home delivery, or use a mobile wallet.

If you want a direct transfer to your bank account, Wise offers the best service for bank transfers to Ghana.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers to Ghana.

Mobile wallet services and payment apps like PayPal and Xoom are popular too, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like WorldRemit.

Please also note that CashApp is not available in Ghana.

To receive money in Ghana, you will need:

• Valid forms of ID: this could be a National ID, passport, or driving license.

• Sender's information: the full name and address of the sender.

• Transfer details: the amount of GHS to be received.

• Transfer reference number: will be needed for cash pickup or home delivery.

When you're sending or receiving money in Ghana, you have to be ready to share some documents.

The exact documents you need might vary by the company you use. Usually, you will have to:

• Show a government ID like a passport or driver's license.

• Give your contact details such as phone number and email address.

You will also need the recipients' details in Ghana. Sometimes this may include an IBAN or a SWIFT code depending on your payment method.

If you're making a large transaction to Ghana, a provider may ask you for proof of address (e.g. a phone or utility bill) and your source of funds (e.g. a bank statement).

That’s why we suggest Wise in this case. They know how to handle large GHS transfers and will help you get things done fast.

There might be tax implications to consider when sending money to Ghana.

Some GHS transfers may need to be reported to tax authorities, especially for larger amounts.

When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in your country or in Ghana.