The +233 country code is for Ghana. Whether you're calling Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, or Takoradi, +233 is the prefix you need to reach Ghana's 34 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +233 is for Ghana. All Ghanaian numbers have 9 digits after +233. Mobile numbers use 2-digit operator prefixes (like 24, 50, 20). An Accra landline looks like +233 30 212 3456 and a mobile like +233 24 123 4567.

How to call Ghana: quick reference

The dialing format depends on where you're calling from. Ghana uses a domestic trunk prefix of 0, which you drop when dialing internationally.

Calling from Dialing format
US/Canada Mobile +233 [9-digit number]
US/Canada Landline 011-233-[9-digit number]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-233-[9-digit number]
Germany 00-233-[9-digit number]
Netherlands 00-233-[9-digit number]
Australia 0011-233-[9-digit number]

Ghana has a large diaspora, especially in the UK and the US. London has one of the biggest Ghanaian communities outside Africa, and there are sizable populations in New York, New Jersey, and the Washington DC metro area. Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands also have growing Ghanaian communities.

Understanding Ghanaian phone numbers

All Ghanaian phone numbers are exactly 9 digits after the +233 country code. Within Ghana, people add a 0 before the number (so 0XX-XXX-XXXX). When calling from abroad, drop that 0 and dial +233 instead.

Ghana migrated from 9-digit to 10-digit domestic numbers (including the trunk prefix 0) back in 2008. Before that, numbers were shorter. If someone gives you a number that seems too short, it's likely an old format.

Mobile numbers

Mobile numbers make up the vast majority of phone numbers in Ghana. Landline penetration is low -- most Ghanaians use mobile phones exclusively, and many people carry two SIM cards from different carriers.

The major carriers and their prefixes:

  • MTN Ghana: 024, 025, 053, 054, 055, 059
  • Vodafone Ghana: 020, 050
  • AirtelTigo: 026, 027, 056, 057

MTN is the dominant carrier with roughly 60% market share. Number portability launched in 2018, so prefixes no longer guarantee which network someone is on.

  • Length: 9 digits after +233.
  • Example: Domestic 024-123-4567 becomes +233 24 123 4567 internationally.

Landline numbers (fixed line)

Ghanaian landlines use 2-digit area codes followed by a 7-digit local number:

  • Structure: 2-digit area code + 7-digit local number = 9 digits after +233.
  • Accra/Tema: Area code 30.
  • Other cities: Each has its own 2-digit code (e.g., 32 for Kumasi, 31 for Takoradi).
  • Trunk prefix: Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.

In practice, you'll rarely encounter landline numbers in Ghana. Mobile penetration is over 130% (many people have multiple SIMs), while fixed-line subscriptions number in the low hundreds of thousands for the entire country.

Ghana area codes reference table

Ghanaian area codes are 2 digits. Accra and Tema share the same area code (30) because Tema is part of the Greater Accra metropolitan area.

City Area code International format
Accra 30 +233 30 XXX XXXX
Tema 30 +233 30 XXX XXXX
Kumasi 32 +233 32 XXX XXXX
Takoradi/Sekondi 31 +233 31 XXX XXXX
Cape Coast 33 +233 33 XXX XXXX
Tamale 37 +233 37 XXX XXXX
Sunyani 35 +233 35 XXX XXXX
Ho 36 +233 36 XXX XXXX
Koforidua 34 +233 34 XXX XXXX
Bolgatanga 38 +233 38 XXX XXXX

Don't confuse +233 (Ghana) with +234 (Nigeria)

Ghana and Nigeria are neighbouring West African countries with consecutive country codes. This causes mix-ups, especially since both countries have large diasporas in the same cities (London, New York, Houston).

Code Country Digits after code
+233 Ghana 9 digits
+234 Nigeria 10 digits

If your call goes to a Nigerian voice prompt instead of a Ghanaian one, you probably typed +234 by accident. The digit count also helps: Ghanaian numbers are 9 digits after the code, Nigerian numbers are 10.

Mobile money and phone numbers

In Ghana, your phone number is also your bank account. Mobile money (especially MTN MoMo) is how most Ghanaians send and receive money, pay bills, and buy goods. Over 17 million active mobile money accounts exist in the country.

This means Ghanaian phone numbers carry more weight than in most countries. People rarely change their number because it's tied to their financial life. If someone gives you their number, it's almost certainly still active.

Mobile vs. landline: how to tell the difference

You can tell whether a +233 number is mobile or landline by the first two digits after the country code:

  • Starts with 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59: A mobile number.
  • Starts with 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38: A landline number (city area code).

Calling rates to Ghanaian mobile numbers are typically higher than landline rates. But since almost everyone uses mobile, you'll be dialing mobile numbers the vast majority of the time.

Dialing examples

Here are practical examples for calling different types of Ghanaian numbers:

Example 1: Calling an Accra landline from the US

  • Ghanaian number (domestic): 030-212-3456
  • From a US mobile: +233 30 212 3456
  • From a US landline: 011 233 30 212 3456

Example 2: Calling a Ghanaian mobile from the US

  • Ghanaian number (domestic): 024-123-4567
  • From a US mobile: +233 24 123 4567
  • From a US landline: 011 233 24 123 4567

Example 3: Calling a Kumasi landline from the UK

  • Ghanaian number (domestic): 032-234-5678
  • From the UK: 00 233 32 234 5678

Example 4: Calling from the Netherlands

  • Ghanaian number (domestic): Any mobile (e.g., 050-678-9012)
  • From Netherlands: 00 233 50 678 9012

Best times to call Ghana

Ghana is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0) year-round. Ghana does not observe daylight saving time, so the offset never changes.

Here's how Ghanaian time relates to other time zones:

Your location Time difference Call Ghana 9 AM - 6 PM
US East Coast (EST) Ghana is 5 hours ahead 4 AM - 1 PM EST
US East Coast (EDT) Ghana is 4 hours ahead 5 AM - 2 PM EDT
US West Coast (PST) Ghana is 8 hours ahead 1 AM - 10 AM PST
UK (GMT) Same time zone 9 AM - 6 PM GMT
UK (BST) Ghana is 1 hour behind 10 AM - 7 PM BST
Germany (CET) Ghana is 1 hour behind 10 AM - 7 PM CET

Tip: Ghana being on GMT year-round makes it one of the easier African countries to call from the UK -- during winter they're on the same time. During British Summer Time, Ghana is just 1 hour behind London.

Common mistakes to avoid

Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the +233 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: Ghanaian numbers start with 0 domestically. Drop it when dialing +233. Dial +233 24 (not +233 024).
  • Dialing +234 instead of +233: Nigeria is +234, Ghana is +233. One digit off and you reach the wrong country entirely.
  • Wrong digit count: Ghanaian numbers are exactly 9 digits after +233. If you have 8 or 10 digits, recheck the number.
  • Old number format: Ghana extended its numbers in 2008. If you have an old number that seems too short, it won't work without updating.

Cheapest ways to call +233 numbers

International calls to Ghana don't have to be expensive. Traditional carriers often charge $1-$5 per minute, but better options exist:

  • VoIP services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Ghanaian mobile and landline numbers. Check our international calling rates.
  • WhatsApp: WhatsApp is widely used in Ghana for both messaging and voice calls. If the person has a data connection, this is free.
  • International calling plans: UK carriers often have Ghana in their international bundles, given the large Ghanaian community in London. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.

WhatsApp is the default messaging app in Ghana. For free calls, that's your simplest option if both sides have a data connection.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What country has the +233 country code?

The +233 country code is for Ghana. Any call from a number starting with +233 originates from Ghana.

How many digits is a Ghanaian phone number?

Ghanaian phone numbers have 9 digits after the +233 country code. Mobile numbers use 2-digit operator prefixes. Landlines use a 2-digit area code plus a 7-digit local number.

What is the area code for Accra?

The area code for Accra (and Tema) is 30. Internationally, dial +233 30 followed by the 7-digit local number.

How do I call Ghana from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +233 followed by the 9-digit Ghanaian number (drop the leading 0). From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 233, then the 9-digit number.

What time zone is Ghana in?

Ghana is on GMT (UTC+0) year-round with no daylight saving time. That's the same as London in winter, 5 hours ahead of New York (EST), and 8 hours ahead of Los Angeles (PST).

What is the difference between +233 and +234?

+233 is Ghana and +234 is Nigeria. They're neighbouring countries with consecutive country codes. Double-check the third digit if you're unsure.

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