Can foreigners buy property in Ghana?

What Ghanaian law allows

Article 266 of the Constitution prevents the creation of a freehold interest in Ghanaian land for a non-citizen. It also restricts the creation of a leasehold for a non-citizen to no more than 50 years at any one time. That does not mean a foreign buyer cannot acquire a property interest. It means the rights being purchased must comply with the law.

A Ghanaian citizen living in Canada or Britain is not automatically subject to the same non-citizen rule. Citizenship, not your current address, is the relevant distinction. Where a company is involved, seek legal advice on the rules applicable to that company.

Start with Article 266 of Ghana's Constitution. Do not accept verbal promises about the term of a lease or how ownership restrictions can be avoided.

Ask what is actually being sold

The same neighbourhood may contain properties with different underlying land interests. Your lawyer should identify the seller, the exact unit or parcel, any restrictions and what is left of the lease term. A headline saying "50-year lease" may refer to the term when the lease was granted, not the term remaining today.

• Who is legally entitled to sell or assign the interest?
• Does the plan match the physical property?
• What lease term remains at completion?
• Is any third-party consent needed for the transfer?
• Are ground rent or building service charges outstanding?
• What rights apply to shared areas, parking and building amenities?

Buying for Airbnb needs separate approval checks

Legal ownership does not automatically make short-term letting permissible. Check the building's rules, the lease, guest access and the Ghana Tourism Authority's applicable registration requirements. If the aim is rental income, compare what the owner would actually retain after operating expenses, rather than using the nightly asking rate as a forecast.

Read buying an apartment for Airbnb in Ghana for operating considerations.