Gift Giving Etiquette

Gifts need not be expensive; the thought is more important than the value. If invited to dinner at a Ghanaian's home, you are not expected to bring a gift. However, a gift for the children is always a nice touch as it shows a concern for the family. Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Never use the left hand. Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper colour. The recipient may or may not open the gift immediately, there is no strict rule about this, either way.

Gifts are central to business relationships in Ghana and many businesses show appreciation at the end of the year by gifting their customers, vendors, clients, and other business associates gift baskets, which have an assortment of gifts, sometimes including the company’s own products. Multinational corporations usually have stricter restrictions about gift giving than local companies. This communal spirit also carried on in the worst of times, so it is also common to give a donation for a funeral when a colleague or colleague’s family member passes away. Giving gifts may be one of the most important Ghana culture, customs, and etiquette.