There are an estimated 250,000 people of Ghanaian descent who currently live in the UK and chances are that they may have to send money back home at some point. Sending money from the UK to Ghana has become significantly easier and more efficient over the years, with a variety of services catering to different needs. Whether you prioritize speed, low fees, or a specific delivery method, there’s likely an option that suits you.
Here’s a detailed guide on the best ways to send money to Ghana from the UK:
Key Considerations When Sending Money to Ghana
Before choosing a service, consider the following:
✅ Exchange Rate (GBP to GHS): This is crucial. Even a small difference in the exchange rate can significantly impact the amount your recipient receives. Always look for providers offering competitive rates, ideally close to the mid-market rate.
✅ Fees: Understand all associated fees. Some services advertise “no fees” but might have a higher exchange rate markup. Others have transparent fees, either flat or a percentage of the transfer amount.
✅ Transfer Speed: How quickly does the money need to arrive? Some services offer instant transfers, while others can take a few business days. You should also factor in possible delays depending on the beneficiary’s bank.
✅ Delivery Methods in Ghana: How will your recipient receive the money? Common options include:
- Bank Deposit: Funds are directly transferred to a Ghanaian bank account.
- Mobile Money (MoMo): Funds are sent to a mobile wallet (e.g., MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash, AirtelTigo Money, Zeepay). This is increasingly popular in Ghana, and this appears to be the most convenient way of sending small amounts.
- Cash Pickup: The recipient can collect cash from a designated agent location in Ghana.
✅ Payment Methods in the UK: How will you pay for the transfer? Options usually include:
- Debit Card/Credit Card: Often the fastest but sometimes comes with slightly higher fees especially if you’re using a Credit card. Some service providers also do not accept credit cards as payment options.
- Bank Transfer (Faster Payments): Generally cheaper and secure but may take a little longer.
✅ Transfer Limits: Be aware of any daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much you can send. These vary by provider, verification level or even your account status.
✅ Security and Regulation: Ensure the service is authorized and regulated by relevant financial authorities (like the Financial Conduct Authority – FCA – in the UK) to protect your money. This is important as the FCA currently guarantees compensation up to £85,000 per person per authorized firm in the scenario where the company goes bankrupt.
✅ Customer Support: Good customer support can be invaluable if you encounter any issues with your transfer especially if there are delays and you want to track and check the status of your transfer.
Best Money Transfer Services for Ghana
Here are some of the most popular and highly-rated services for sending money from the UK to Ghana:
1. Remitly
- Pros: Often offers competitive exchange rates and sometimes has promotional offers for new customers (e.g., special rates or zero fees on first transfers). Excellent Trustpilot ratings. Offers bank deposit, mobile wallet, and cash pickup.
- Cons: Promotional rates might not be available for repeat transfers.
- Speed: Many transfers are delivered within minutes, especially for mobile wallet and cash pickup. Bank deposits may take 1-2 business days but generally deposited within a day.
- Payment Options: Debit/credit card, bank transfer.
2. WorldRemit
- Pros: Wide range of delivery options, including bank deposit, mobile money, and cash pickup. User-friendly app and website. Strong security measures.
- Cons: Fees and exchange rates can vary, so it’s good to compare.
- Speed: 90% of transfers to Ghana are sent to local partners within minutes for cash pickup and mobile money. Bank deposits can take longer.
- Payment Options: Bank transfer, debit/credit card.
3. TransferGo
- Pros: Known for fast transfers, with many arriving in minutes. Offers bank account, debit card, and mobile wallet transfers. Good customer support.
- Cons: May have slightly higher fees for credit card payments compared to bank transfers.
- Speed: Card transfers are often instant (seconds to a few minutes). Bank transfers usually arrive within 30 minutes.
- Payment Options: Bank transfer, debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PISP.
4. MoneyGram
- Pros: Global network with many cash pickup locations in Ghana, making it convenient for recipients without bank accounts or mobile wallets. Offers traditional bank transfers and digital platforms.
- Cons: Exchange rates and fees can sometimes be less competitive than online-only providers.
- Speed: Cash pickup can be available in minutes.
- Payment Options: Online via debit/credit card, bank transfer, or in person at an agent location.
5. Western Union
- Pros: Extensive global network with a vast number of agent locations for cash pickup. Offers online, app, and in-person sending.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than other services, especially for cash pickups, and exchange rates might not always be the most favorable.
- Speed: Cash pickup can be in minutes.
- Payment Options: Online via bank account, credit/debit card, or in cash at an agent location.
6. Taptap Send
- Pros: Often boasts zero transfer fees to Ghana and competitive exchange rates. Focuses on speed, with many transfers received in minutes. Also allows you to buy airtime for people in Ghana
- Cons: Primarily mobile app-based.
- Speed: 90% of transfers are received in minutes.
- Payment Options: Debit/credit card.
7. Paysend
- Pros: Flat £1 transfer fee to Ghana for most transfers. Offers direct transfers to bank cards (UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard) and bank accounts, as well as digital wallets.
- Cons: Exchange rate can fluctuate.
- Speed: Money usually transferred on the same day, often within minutes.
- Payment Options: Bank cards, bank accounts,
8. PayAngel
- Pros: Primarily focussed on remittance to Ghana. Known for having excellent exchange rates to Ghana with zero fees
- Cons: On app based
- Speed: Can be very fast for with most payouts completed within the same day.
- Payment Options: Bank transfer, Credit/Debit cards.
How to Choose the Best Service for You
- Compare Rates and Fees: Use online comparison tools or check the providers websites directly. Always look at the total cost including fees and the effective exchange rate.
- Consider the Recipient’s Needs: Does your recipient have a bank account, a mobile money wallet, or do they prefer cash pickup? This will narrow down your options.
- Prioritize Speed: If the money is urgent, opt for services offering instant or same-day transfers (typically mobile money or cash pickup).
- Check Payment Methods: Ensure the service accepts your preferred payment method in the UK.
- Read Reviews: Check independent review sites like Trustpilot to get an idea of other users’ experiences with the service.
General Steps to Send Money to Ghana
While specific steps vary slightly by provider, the general process is:
- Choose a Service: Select the money transfer provider that best suits your needs.
- Sign Up/Log In: Create an account or log in to your existing one. You’ll likely need to verify your identity (passport, driving license, proof of address) for compliance reasons, especially for larger transfers.
- Enter Transfer Details:
- Specify the amount you want to send in GBP.
- Select Ghana as the destination country and GHS as the receiving currency (if applicable).
- Choose the delivery method (bank deposit, mobile money, cash pickup).
- Enter Recipient Details:
- Full name of the recipient.
- Recipient’s mobile number and/or email.
- For bank transfers: Bank name, account number, and sometimes SWIFT/BIC code.
- For mobile money: Mobile network and mobile money account number.
- For cash pickup: A valid ID will be required for collection in Ghana.
- Pay for Your Transfer: Use your chosen payment method (debit card, bank transfer, etc.).
- Confirm and Track: Review all details carefully before confirming. You’ll usually receive a transaction reference number (MTCN for Western Union, etc.) that you and your recipient can use to track the transfer.
By carefully considering your options and comparing providers, you can ensure your money gets to Ghana safely, quickly, and at the best possible rate.
Final Verdict: Best Way to Send Money to Ghana
Add a column to the right to insert links
| Best for | Service Provider | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For low fees & best exchange rate | PayAngel | Button | |
| For instant mobile money transfers | Sendwave | Button | |
| For cash pickup | Remitly | Button | |
| For large amounts | WorldRemit | Button |
Summary of money transfer services to Ghana
| Name | Pros | Cons | Fees | Delivery Speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WorldRemit | Highly rated, supports various currencies and delivery methods including bank deposit, mobile money, and cash pickup. User-friendly app. Often offers competitive exchange rates and secure transfers. | Fees and exchange rates can fluctuate; it’s advisable to compare them with other services. | Varies based on transfer amount, payment method, and destination. Rates are clearly displayed before confirming the transfer. | Cash pickup and mobile money transfers are often instant (within minutes). Bank deposits can take 1-2 business days. | Button |
| Remitly | Known for competitive exchange rates, especially for first-time users with promotional offers. Supports bank deposit, mobile money, and cash pickup. Excellent customer reviews. | Promotional rates might not be consistent for subsequent transfers. | Varies; promotional “zero fees” on first transfers are common, otherwise depends on transfer amount and payment method. | Many transfers are delivered within minutes (especially for mobile money and cash pickup). Bank deposits may take 1-2 business days. | Button |
| TransferGo | Fast transfers, with many arriving in minutes. Offers bank account, debit card, and mobile wallet options. Good customer support. | Credit card payments might incur slightly higher fees than bank transfers. | Varies based on payment method and transfer speed chosen. Often transparent. | Card transfers are often instant (seconds to a few minutes). Bank transfers usually arrive within 30 minutes. | Button |
| MoneyGram | Extensive global network with numerous cash pickup locations in Ghana, convenient for recipients without bank accounts or mobile money. | Exchange rates and fees can sometimes be less competitive compared to online-only providers. | Varies by transfer amount, payment method, and agent location. | Cash pickup can be available in minutes. | Button |
| Western Union | Wide global reach with a vast network of agent locations for cash pickup. Offers online, app, and in-person sending. | Generally higher fees and less favorable exchange rates compared to some digital competitors. | Can be higher, especially for cash pickups. Varies by transfer amount and method. | Cash pickup can be in minutes. | Button |
| Taptap Send | Often boasts zero transfer fees to Ghana and highly competitive exchange rates. Focuses on rapid delivery. | Primarily mobile app-based, which might not suit all users. | Often zero fees for transfers to Ghana. | 90% of transfers are received in minutes. | Button |
| Paysend | Offers a flat, low transfer fee (e.g., £1) to Ghana for most transfers. Supports direct transfers to bank cards and accounts, and digital wallets. | Exchange rates can fluctuate. | Flat fee (e.g., £1) for most transfers to Ghana, plus exchange rate. | Within the same day | Button |
| PayAngel | Excellent rates with zero fees | Primarily mobile app-based, which might not suit all users. | Zero | Button |
