Ghana Calling Code: +233
Complete guide to calling Ghana — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call Ghana from Abroad
📞 Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +233 — the country calling code for Ghana
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About Ghana Calling Code
Every country has a unique international dialing prefix; for Ghana it is +233. The ITU assigns these codes under recommendation E.164. Dial +233 after your country's exit code, then the local subscriber number. Ghana is in Africa.
The first digits of any international number are its E.164 country code. Ghana uses +233, in Western Africa, so a call from anywhere else begins with an exit code, then +233, then the national number with its trunk prefix removed.
Where the +233 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +233 is assigned to Ghana, located in Western Africa, with the capital Accra. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Ghana from outside the country.
A number displayed as +233 … is in international format: +233 replaces the domestic trunk prefix. From abroad, always drop any leading 0 of the area code and dial +233 + area code + subscriber number.
Calling codes starting with 2 are part of the ITU's regional numbering plan for the area around Ghana, in Western Africa. When saving Ghana numbers internationally, write +233 followed by the area code without its leading 0 — this format works from every country.
Ghana Phone Number Formats
Numbers in Ghana use the standard E.164 pattern — +233, then the area code, then the subscriber number. The same layout applies to landlines and mobile phones:
📱 Number Structure
- International format: +233 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +233 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within Ghana: dial the local number directly
Closed numbering plans give every national number the same length; open plans let it vary and rely on a trunk prefix for routing. For a caller outside Ghana the distinction rarely matters, because the trunk 0 is dropped either way and +233 is dialed in its place. Ghana numbers follows the published pattern +233 (XX) XXXXXXXX.
Time Zone in Ghana
Ghana runs on Africa/Accra, which is UTC+00:00 UTC. Schedule international calls accordingly — a convenient time for you may be very early or very late there.
Use the UTC offset (UTC+00:00) to plan calls to Ghana. For most international callers, the practical rule is: schedule business-hour calls to Accra during the overlap between your working day and theirs.
Daylight saving time can shift Ghana's clock by one hour in summer. For time-critical calls, confirm the current UTC offset rather than relying on the standard value.
Best Time to Call Ghana
Business hours in Ghana run roughly 09:00–18:00 local time. Because Ghana sits at UTC+00:00, the window in which it is polite to call lands at a different hour for every caller. The table below converts Ghana's working day into your own clock — and shows the hours to avoid so you do not wake anyone up.
| If you are in | Call Ghana between | Avoid calling between |
|---|---|---|
| London | 09:00–18:00 | 23:00–07:00 |
| New York | 04:00–13:00 | 18:00–02:00 |
| Los Angeles | 01:00–10:00 | 15:00–23:00 |
| Sao Paulo | 06:00–15:00 | 20:00–04:00 |
| Dubai | 13:00–22:00 | 03:00–11:00 |
| Mumbai | 14:30–23:30 | 04:30–12:30 |
| Singapore | 17:00–02:00 | 07:00–15:00 |
| Sydney | 19:00–04:00 | 09:00–17:00 |
Times shown are standard time and ignore daylight saving, which shifts the clock by one hour in countries that observe it — around the clock change, add or subtract an hour from every figure above.
Emergency Numbers in Ghana
If you need urgent help while in Ghana, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Ghana.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 112 |
| Fire | 192 |
| Ambulance | 193 |
Example: Calling Ghana Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to Ghana works, depending on where you are calling from:
🌍 From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the Ghana country code +233
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +233 [area code] [number]
🌍 From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the Ghana country code +233
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +233 [area code] [number], or +233 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
Leading zeros in domestic area codes are not dialed internationally. Write the number as +233 + area code (no leading 0) + subscriber number.
Calling Ghana from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. These are the ones most often used to reach Ghana (+233):
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 233 [local number] |
| France | 00 | 00 233 [local number] |
| United States | 011 | 011 233 [local number] |
| South Africa | 00 | 00 233 [local number] |
| United Arab Emirates | 00 | 00 233 [local number] |
| Nigeria | 009 | 009 233 [local number] |
| Kenya | 000 | 000 233 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 233 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +233 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for Ghana?
The international calling code for Ghana is +233.
How do I call Ghana from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +233, then the local phone number.
How do I call Ghana from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +233, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +233 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within Ghana?
If you're already in Ghana, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +233 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of Ghana?
The capital of Ghana is Accra. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +233 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in Ghana?
Police: 112, Fire: 192, Ambulance: 193. These numbers are only valid inside Ghana.
Is Ghana a country?
Yes — Ghana is a sovereign state, whose capital is Accra, and +233 is its international calling code.
Ghana Mobile Phone Prefixes & Domestic Dialing
Mobile phone numbers in Ghana typically use the following prefixes:
- 2x - mobile numbers start with 02
Trunk prefix: 0. This prefix is used for domestic long-distance calls inside Ghana and is dropped when you dial from abroad.
Ghana City / Area Codes
Major cities in Ghana and their local area codes (dial these after the country code +233 when calling from abroad):
| City | Area Code(s) |
|---|---|
| Accra | 30 |
| Kumasi | 32 |
| Takoradi | 31 |
| Tamale | 37 |
Note: Drop any leading "0" when dialing from abroad. Example: Accra 30 becomes +233 30 + local number.
From the United States, a call to Accra is dialed as 011 +233 30 [local number].
Other Countries in Africa
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling Ghana from Egypt or South Africa works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +233, then the local number. Within Africa, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.