How to Receive International Payments in Ghana

You have landed a client abroad, sold something online or have family who want to send you money. The next question is: how do you receive it in Ghana without losing too much to fees?

You have several options, but they do different jobs. A service for family transfers may not support business payments, and receiving cedis is different from keeping your money in dollars. Here is how to choose and get started.

Which option should you use?

• Salary or payment from a direct client: Ask about a bank transfer or money remitting business like MoneyGram, Western Union
• Money earned on Upwork: Check its Direct to Local Bank withdrawal option for Ghana.
• A customer paying by card: Consider a verified Paystack business account with international payments enabled.
• Money from family or friends: Compare the Ghana delivery options on WorldRemit and Remitly.
• A sender who uses Wise: They can check its Ghana bank and mobile-wallet transfer options. You do not need to assume that you can open a Wise balance yourself.

Start with the purpose of the payment, the sender’s country and the currency you want to receive.

Those three details will narrow your choices.

How do you receive money into your bank account?

Ask your bank for its official instructions for receiving an international transfer. These usually include your account name and number, the bank’s name and SWIFT/BIC code, plus any intermediary-bank details required for that currency.

1. Tell the bank whether you are receiving salary, freelance income, business revenue or a personal transfer.
2. Confirm that your account can receive the payment and ask whether it will arrive in cedis or remain in the original currency.
3. Ask about receiving fees, possible intermediary deductions, conversion rates and supporting documents.
4. Send the verified receiving instructions to the payer through a trusted channel. Include an invoice reference for work payments.
5. Keep the transfer reference and confirm the credit in your own bank account.

For example, Absa Ghana has a foreign exchange account that can receive local and overseas foreign-currency funds and supports international payments through SWIFT.

Ask your own bank which account fits your circumstances; account eligibility and charges differ.

If you want to keep dollars, ask specifically about a suitable USD account and the rules for receiving and withdrawing the funds. A dollar payment sent to a cedi account may be converted. Never guess an IBAN or copy another bank’s routing instructions.

Can someone pay you through Wise?

Yes, where the sender’s account and payment route support it. Wise’s Ghana transfer guide lists payments to personal and business bank accounts, plus MTN, Airtel-Tigo and Telecel wallets.

The sender chooses Ghana and the receiving method, enters your correct bank or wallet details, and checks the fee, delivery estimate and amount you will receive in GHS. Wallet and bank-transfer limits differ.

This does not mean a Ghana resident can open a Wise account to hold dollars. Ghana is not on Wise’s current list of places where residents can hold money. Older accounts can have different features.

How do you withdraw Upwork earnings in Ghana?

If your work was paid through Upwork, you can use its supported withdrawal options. Its Direct to Local Bank guide includes Ghana in GHS.

1. Open Account settings on desktop, or Settings on mobile, then Withdrawals.
2. Choose Add a method and set up Direct to Local Bank if available in your account.
3. Enter your own bank details carefully and follow the verification instructions.
4. Check the withdrawal charge, conversion and any activation or earnings hold before requesting payment.

This withdraws money earned through Upwork; it is not a general receiving account for every overseas client. Marketplace service fees and withdrawal costs are separate. Follow the platform’s payment rules to preserve any applicable protection.

Can your customers pay by international card?

Paystack’s Ghana pricing page lists international card payments at 1.95%, charged and settled in cedis by default. Its standard automatic settlement is the next working day, subject to applicable account requirements and checks.

For a GHS1,000 payment, a 1.95% processing charge is GHS19.50, leaving GHS980.50 before any other applicable deductions. Your customer’s card issuer may charge them separately for currency conversion.

1. Create a Ghana business account using your real details and complete the required verification.
2. Follow Paystack’s instructions to request international payments. This feature is not automatically approved.
3. Create a Payment Page for your service or product and share its link with the customer. You do not need to build a website just to share a payment page.
4. Check the successful transaction in your dashboard, then track settlement to your approved payout account.

This is an option for legitimate customer purchases. It is not a way to open a USD bank account or disguise a personal transfer. Card payments can be disputed, so keep invoices and evidence that you delivered the work.

What about Payoneer?

Payoneer provides services for freelancers receiving client and marketplace payments. However, receiving accounts, payment requests and withdrawal options depend on eligibility and approval. Confirm what is available for your Ghana-based account before giving a client payment instructions.

Read the current fee schedule, including annual account fees, conversion and bank withdrawals. Do not judge the total cost only by the fee for receiving a payment. Use the actual options and fees shown in your verified account, rather than a foreign user’s screenshot.

Is Paypal available in Ghana?

No, Paypal is currently not available in Ghana. Don’t try to use false documents and location to open an account in Ghana.

If you do, their systems will eventually find out and your account will be blocked. You don’t want to risk your funds being locked up! It’s not worth the risk especially now that we have a lot of other options.

How can family send money to your mobile money wallet?

WorldRemit and Remitly, Western Union, MoneyGram list Ghana receiving options including bank deposits, mobile money and cash pickup. The available method depends on the sender’s country, provider and transfer.

1. Give the sender your full name exactly as registered, the correct phone number and the wallet network.
2. Ask them to select Ghana and confirm the payout method, final GHS amount and delivery estimate.
3. Check that your wallet is active and has enough capacity under its current limits.
4. Confirm the money in your own wallet or banking app. A screenshot from the sender is not proof of receipt.

For cash pickup, check the named collection partner, required ID and transfer reference before travelling. WorldRemit says recipients do not need their own WorldRemit account. Delivery estimates can change because of verification, incorrect details or partner opening hours.

For commercial payments, first confirm that the specific service permits your transaction. Do not describe business income as family support to get around its rules.

How do you compare the real cost?

Compare the amount you will actually receive for the same total amount paid by the sender. A zero transfer fee can still come with a less favourable exchange rate.

• Transfer or processing fee: What does the provider charge, and who pays?
• Exchange rate: How many cedis will you receive after conversion?
• Receiving and withdrawal costs: Are there bank deductions or wallet cash-out charges?
• Account costs: Is there an annual fee, minimum balance or inactivity charge?
• Timing and limits: When can you actually use the money, and is your amount within the limits?

How do you keep your money safe?

Use official apps and websites. For Ghana-based payment providers, consult the Bank of Ghana’s licensed-provider list and confirm the legal entity and relevant service.

Never give a payer your PIN, password, card security code or one-time login code. Be suspicious of anyone asking you to send money to a personal number to “unlock” an incoming payment. If there is a payment problem, contact the provider through its official support channel.

Keep invoices, transfer references, statements and fee records. Receiving work income from abroad does not automatically make it tax-free: GRA explains that resident persons’ assessable income includes worldwide income.

If you are still looking for clients or a remote role, read our guide on how to get remote work while living in Ghana. Agree on a payment route you can actually use before you start the work.