Business Etiquettes of Ghana:-

First Meetings

Greet with a right handed handshake. In Ghana, the direct, “let’s get to business” approach is
considered rude. Always exchange pleasantries and enquire about family before beginning to
transact any business; this will be appreciated. You should only refer to your colleagues using
first names after being invited to do so. While older people generally prefer to be addressed
formally, you will find that the younger generations speak to one another more casually.

Initial business meetings in Ghana are about business associates getting to know each another
and working out whether a future business relationship is likely to work on a personal level.
Therefore you should expect to spend a fair amount of time on relationship and rapport building
and you shouldn’t be surprised if no actual business matters are discussed in that first meeting.

Business Meetings

Dress as you would for a business meeting in the UK. Timekeeping in Ghana is far more flexible
than it is in Western societies and punctuality is not overly important. Therefore you should not
expect your meeting to start on time and if you have more than one meeting planned in a day,
ensure that you leave enough time to allow your first meeting to overrun, as it’s typical for a
meeting to start late and over run.
Ghanaians do not like to say no, or to give bad news and as a result, proverbs and analogies are
often used so the message is conveyed in a way which seems less blatant or direct. Silence is also
not unusual. If someone is not comfortable with a question or if they think their response will not
be liked or appreciated, they will say nothing rather than making the other person feel
uncomfortable.

Names

Address Ghanaians by their academic, professional, or honorific title and their surname until you
are invited to address them by their first name only.

Management advice, when managing Ghanaian employees

Ghanaian business culture is hierarchical and people gain respect as a result of age, experience,
wealth and their position within a company. Older people are viewed as being wise and not
addressing seniors appropriately is a faux pas in Ghanaian business circles. Senior business
people tend to be in charge of making decisions in the best interests of their company.
In Ghana, as in other hierarchical societies, managers may take a paternalistic attitude to their
employees, which may demonstrate a concern for employees that goes beyond the workplace and
professional concerns. This can include involvement in their family, housing, health, and other
practical life considerations.

1. Use Handshakes
Handshakes are the commonly accepted greeting in Ghana. When meeting a woman, wait for her
to initiate the handshake. For large gatherings, start with the first person on your right side and
go around the room to the left. Touch only the palm and not the back of the hand.

2. Be Flexible With Your Meeting Times

Flexibility is a key part of negotiations. People may show up later than scheduled, so plan for
longer meetings to cover all the details. Always keep your appointment time even if other
partners are late. This shows your reliability as well as a dedication to success.

3. Get To Know Your Work Colleagues

It is important in Ghana to share about health, family and other lifestyle issues. Some meetings
will appear to be all about other issues rather than business and building a rapport can strengthen
work relationships.

4. Maintain Eye Contact

Maintain eye contact when meeting new clients. This shows that you are trustworthy and gives
the impression that you care about everyone you encounter. Use this technique for first
impressions with both men and women.

5. Use Your Right Hand When Giving Out Business Cards

Business cards are still a valuable tool in Ghana. Use your right hand when giving out business
cards. Never present a card with your left hand as it is considered a rude gesture.

6. Silence Is Important

Silence instead of a constant talking style is valued by residents. Many people in Ghana feel that
statements which could offend or hurt the feeling of another person are more likely to occur if a
conversation continues over a long period of time.

7. Use Local Sayings & Proverbs

Local sayings and proverbs are used frequently in most discussions. It is considered a helpful
method of expressing ideas on both a personal and professional level. Carefully asses any
sayings to gauge their meaning before repeating them.
8. Greet The Most Senior Participants First

It is important to greet the most senior person in the room first. This is a sign of respect and takes
into consideration which person has been delegated to speak for the group. Ask someone how to
greet those in the room if you are still unsure about the situation.

9. Be Careful With Humor

Do not try humor until you know if it is accepted among the group. Let the Ghanaians set the
tone for the discussion. If humorous statements are allowed, it will convey that the person you
are meeting with is comfortable about the situation.

10. Use Titles When Addressing People

If a person or colleague has a title such as Dr., greet them with their name as well as the
appropriate title. It must also be used when referring to the person when they are not currently in
the room.

11. Smile When You First Meet Someone

Smile when you meet people. It is thought to represent good intentions and show that you are
friendly to everyone involved. The gesture also establishes a positive atmosphere for meetings.

12. Invitations Are Welcome

Invite fellow workers to events. It does not matter if you know the person extremely well or have
just met them. Ghanaians view being included as crucial to a good business relationship.

13. Give Up Your Seat To Older Individuals

If all seats are taken, younger people in the room must give up their spots to older individuals.
Do not address the age of the individual. Instead, offer your seat with as little conversation as
possible.

14. Hand Gestures Matter

There are some common gestures that can be used to convey a range of situations. For example,
scratching the palm of your left hand means money. Be sure that you understand the meaning of
your gesture before using it in conversation.
15. Watch Your Language

As with other business deals, avoid slang or possibly offensive terms. Never tell someone to shut
up or refer to anyone foolish or stupid. If you are unsure about a word or its usage, politely ask
someone about what they consider acceptable.

16. Dress Code

Ghanaians generally like to dress well. They are proud people and enjoy looking good. 

For  Men- The most acceptable clothing options are nice pants, a collared shirt, and a tie.  In
many situations a tie is not needed.  Some foreigners are seen wearing shorts, but you don’t see
many locals wearing them.  Shorts are generally viewed as something school children sport. 

For  Women- Conservative dresses, skirts, or pants and blouses are acceptable.  Avoid clothes
that are too revealing or tight fitting.  Short skirts and thin strapped tops should be avoided.
Wearing skimpy clothing will non-verbally tell men that you may be promiscuous and will most
likely solicit unwanted attention.

17. Negotiations

Decisions tend to come from the top down and will most likely take a while to be reached. 

Expect to bargain for just about everything.  Bargaining is a way of life, a way of interaction, and
very expected.  It is best to “exercise patience” when trying to buy things because negotiating
turns in to a necessary part of almost all transactions, especially those in the market.