Ghana is one of the more straightforward repatriation destinations in West Africa. English is the official language — documentation is in English throughout. The country has a stable government and a well-functioning civil administration. Accra’s Kotoka International Airport has direct connections to London. And there is a substantial British-Ghanaian diaspora community in the UK with established networks of experienced funeral directors and repatriation agents who handle cases in both directions regularly.
Ghana is not fast — 10 to 21 days for a standard case — but it is manageable, and the English-language administration removes the translation burden that complicates repatriation from many other African countries.
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry
Deaths in Ghana are registered at the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry (BDM). The BDM issues the death certificate. For repatriation purposes, the BDM death certificate is the primary document needed to trigger the export process.
In Accra and Kumasi, BDM registration is relatively efficient. In other regions, processing times are less predictable. Deaths outside Accra that require post-mortem examination typically need the body transferred to Accra for that step, after which registration and export documentation follow.
Ghana Health Service export permit
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) issues the export permit that allows a body to leave the country. The GHS application requires the certified death certificate, embalming certificate, post-mortem report (where applicable), and a completed application form. GHS processing typically takes 5 to 10 working days from receipt of a complete documentation package.
This is the main bureaucratic step. The GHS export permit cannot be expedited beyond the normal processing queue in most cases. The funeral director in Accra manages this application.
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Post-mortems for sudden or unnatural deaths in the Accra area are conducted at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital — Ghana’s largest teaching hospital and the main forensic facility. Korle Bu is experienced and its pathology department handles a significant caseload. Regional hospitals in Kumasi, Tamale, and Cape Coast have forensic capacity but it is more limited, and complex cases sometimes transfer to Korle Bu.
The British-Ghanaian dimension
The British-Ghanaian community numbers several hundred thousand in the UK, with strong concentrations in London (particularly south London), Birmingham, and Manchester. Repatriation in the direction of Ghana — UK to Ghana — is a significant part of the overall caseload. Funeral directors in the UK specialising in West African repatriation are experienced with Ghanaian documentation, the Ghana Health Service process, and the cultural expectations around Ghanaian funerals, which can be elaborate and involve extended community ceremonies.
For families managing a UK-to-Ghana repatriation, the UK-side process (death registration, Coroner release, FCDO export documentation) mirrors the standard UK export process. The body routes to Accra.
British High Commission
The British High Commission is in Accra, on Julius Nyerere Link. Emergency number: +44 20 7008 5000.
Routing
British Airways operates direct London Heathrow to Accra routes. Ghana’s own carrier (Africa World Airlines is domestic; international is covered by various carriers) connects Accra to London via Heathrow or Gatwick depending on the operator. These direct connections make the final cargo leg reliable.
Timelines
Accra, natural death: 10 to 14 days. Standard case with post-mortem and GHS permit: 14 to 21 days. Death outside Accra requiring transfer: add 3 to 5 days. Complex investigation: 35+ days.
Source: FCDO consular data; Ghana Health Service; industry averages from UK repatriation companies; gov.uk Ghana guidance.