Ghana’s currency is known as the cedi (¢). US$1 is approximately equivalent to ¢1.45. When you are in Ghana you can exchange all the major world currencies for cedi coins and notes from a lot of banks and forex bureaus.
So how do you ask a Twi speaker to show you the bank? How about the current exchange rates? What would you say when you want to exchange large bills for small ones?
I’ve put together this helpful list of 10 essential Twi phrases with their audio clips to help anybody who might find him/herself in such a situation in Ghana.
Click the speaker buttons to hear how to say each phrase. Practice how to say them until you get each one right.
NOTE: If you don’t see the speaker buttons below, then download and install the Flash player from Adobe.
FINDING A BANK
This is how to ask somebody to show you the bank
| Ɛhefa na sikakorabea a εbεn wɔ? | Where is the nearest bank? |
Use the phrase below when asking where to change foreign currency to cedis
| Ɛhefa na mεtumi asesa sika? | Where can I change money? |
AT THE BANK OR FOREX BUREAU
In Ghana you will most probably use English in all your transactions at the bank or forex bureau, but the proceeding phrases have been added because these same transactions can happen even on the streets of major cities and towns. They are also not limited to only changing foreign currency. There are also situations where you have to use black market forex bureaus where some of the operators don’t speak any English.
This is how to inquire from a bank or forex bureau to exchange money
| Wobεtumi asesa ‘euro’ wɔ ha? | Can I change euros here? |
If you want to change a note, this is what you say
| Wobεtumi asesa sika krataa yi ama me? | Could you give me change for this bill? |
This is how to ask the exchange rate of the dollar
| ‘Dollar’ boɔ yε sεn? | How much is the dollar worth? |
You probably want to change some coins. This is what you say
| Meserε wo mepε sika pranpran ahodoɔ nyinaa bi | I’d like coins of all sizes please |
This is what you say when depositing money
| Mepε sε mede sika kakra to me fotoɔ mu | I’d like to deposit some money |
This is what to say when withdrawing money
| Mepε sε meyi sika kakra | I’d like to withdraw some money |
When you want large bills you say
| Meserε wo mepε sika nkrataa a εsoso | I want large bills please |
When you want small bills you say
| Meserε wo mepε sika nkrataa a εsusua | I want small bills please |
These are a few of the phrases you need to be familiar with when exchanging money in Ghana. I hope you found this article educative and informative. To learn even more Twi phrases that you can use in all manner of situations, get the Nkyea Twi Phrasebook iphone app for only $2.99 on the Apple Store. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the Nkyea Forum.
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I purchased the Learn Swahili programme and it worked fine. However just the other day I downloaded the update and now cannot access the programme at all. When I attempt to do so the initial screen pops up and then immediately goes off. I am using iPad 2.
Roy Godber
Have you upgraded to iOS 5?
It does the same for me. – Even with the IOS 5 upgrade.(on iPod touch)
The Nkyea Twi Primer is very helpful! Thanks guys. But…..I’m still waiting on that app for the android phone.
Hi Catina, we are still on it. We hope to release it before Christmas.
Hi Catina, the Android version will come out soon.