Lizzy, have you been to third world countries before? If you're an old-hand at third world adventures, then Ghana could be a snap. If you have no experience in the third world, it could be difficult, frustrating, even dangerous by yourself. It really depends on if you have contacts in Ghana. If you're a novice traveler and are going alone with no one to help when you get there, you could be in for a steep learning curve.

I've been up and down the coast with a rented car with driver and have encountered a number of "official police" roadblock shakedowns where we were accused of doing something illegal and the fine was to be paid on the spot. Fairly common. The roads are generally terrible. Cars are generally in terrible states of repair. One of my rentals (with driver) had the transmission blow apart leaving me stranded in the middle of no where. Another had a fuel line leak nearly blowing the car up, leaving me stranded in the middle of no where.

Keep your wits about you and be aware of the possibility of being scammed. Corruption is a problem, water and food born bacteria is a very real problem. Coastal waters especially near towns and villages are very polluted, as they are used as toilets. When you think of Ghana's beaches, don't think California and Highway 1. They're not the same. Just be careful. Don't flaunt your wealth, keep valuables to yourself or don't bring them.

On the true upside, I've met some wonderful, helpful people in Ghana. It can be a very interesting place to visit. I'm a photographer who has worked in 34 countries and spent nearly half a year working in Africa, but only a few weeks in Ghana. I always work hard to stay healthy and never travel alone. My photo gear draws too much attention to me and I tend to look like a target. And because I'm occasionally gone for long periods of time, I have a lot of cash on me. So again, I'm super cautious.

Enjoy Ghana and it's people. It's a colorful place. Just be careful if you do it alone. And I wouldn't drive it alone.

I enter my comments as a Ghanaian. therefore I may be a bit biased.
1. Lizzy, Ghana is a very safe place to travel to. as said in the commentary above, sanitation is a problem. please take your malaria...medication and drink the bottled water. there are various brands sold everywhere. this is because your immune system may not be that strong. for being a lady, that is no problem at all. travel in public transport. it is inconveniencing but safest. of course when there is a breakdown, you are in a group and that is more confortable. the bigger the vehicle, the better!!! within the city, the mini buses called trotro are safest. late at nite or where the trotros dont exist, you take a taxi. the taxi drivers will always mention a higher price. remember you can bargain for a reduction in taxi fares. do that before you start the journey. most of the banks in ghana offer visa/master and other international money services. you could carry your card and take the money bit by bit. or when travelling e.g to the mole national park, send the money by transfer and cash it at the nearest big town (Damongo).

2. mother to 16 year old: i think your daughter is too young. its safe in terms of slavery, kidnapping etc. The villages are the safest places in Ghana. your daughter will be treated like a queen. she will be pampered. but she is not emotionally strong enough. when she is 20 she could come.

I'm visiting a friend in Tamale and i don't know anything about the place. I have tried to research but i don't get enough info. I want to know the culture, the people and if the place is safe enough..I'm a South African so im not really conserned about the public as I think is the same as South Afica but i really would love to hear form a ghananian or someone who's been to Tamale before.