How to send money to Ghana from the UK: costs, options and safety
Mobile money, bank account or cash pickup: how to compare the real cost, check a provider is regulated, and avoid failed transfers.
Quick answer
Use an FCA-regulated money transfer app or bank to send pounds, which are usually paid out in Ghanaian cedis to a mobile money wallet, bank account or cash pickup point. Compare the total cost, meaning the fee plus the exchange-rate margin, not just the fee. Check your recipient's name and wallet number carefully before you send.
At a glance
| Ways to receive | Mobile money wallet, Ghanaian bank account, or cash pickup |
|---|---|
| Currency received | Usually Ghana cedis (GHS); licensed payout partners convert at the Bank of Ghana's prescribed reference rate |
| Real cost | Transfer fee + exchange-rate margin (the gap between the rate you get and the mid-market rate) |
| UK average cost | 4.61% of the amount sent across all UK corridors (World Bank, Q3 2025) |
| Safety check | Confirm the provider on the FCA register before sending |
| What you need | Photo ID for the provider's checks, the recipient's full name, network and wallet or account number |
The UK has one of the largest Ghanaian communities outside Africa, and money sent home pays for school fees, medical bills, building projects and everyday support. Sending it has never been easier, and most transfers now arrive in minutes on a phone. But the difference between a good and a bad provider can still be several pounds on every transfer. This guide explains how to choose, what to check and how to avoid the mistakes that make transfers fail.
Before you start: what you need
- Photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence, for the provider's identity checks. Some also ask for proof of address.
- A UK bank account or debit card to pay for the transfer.
- Your recipient's full name, exactly as registered on their wallet or bank account.
- For mobile money: the recipient's network and wallet number.
- For a bank account: the bank name, branch and account number.
- For cash pickup: the recipient's ID. They will need to show it when they collect the money.
The three ways to receive money in Ghana
| Method | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile money wallet | Speed and convenience; the recipient can pay bills and shop straight from the wallet | A name or number that does not match the wallet; wallet limits on large amounts |
| Bank account | Larger sums, school fees, business payments | Can take longer; bank charges on the receiving side |
| Cash pickup | Recipients without a wallet or bank account | Travel to an agent; ID required; often a higher cost |
The Bank of Ghana's guidelines say inward remittances through licensed providers can be paid into bank accounts, mobile money wallets and other e-wallets it approves. They are paid out in Ghana cedis.
Step by step
Agree how your recipient will receive the money
Ask whether they want it in a mobile money wallet (MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash or AT Money), a bank account or cash pickup. Get the exact name registered on the wallet or account, the network or bank, and the number.
Compare the total cost for your amount
For the same amount, note the fee and how many cedis your recipient will actually get. The provider with the lowest fee is not always the cheapest once the exchange rate is included. The World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide site compares providers on the UK–Ghana corridor.
Check the provider is regulated
Search for the company on the FCA register. UK money transfer firms must be authorised or registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. Avoid informal agents who cannot show that.
Open an account and verify your identity
Sign up with the provider and complete its identity checks, usually photo ID and sometimes proof of address. UK anti-money-laundering rules require these checks, and larger amounts may need proof of where the money came from.
Add the recipient and send
Enter the recipient's details exactly as registered. For mobile money, a name that does not match the wallet is the most common reason a transfer fails. Pay by bank transfer or debit card, as the provider allows.
Track it and confirm receipt
Keep the transaction reference. Ask your recipient to confirm when the money arrives, and contact the provider straight away if it does not arrive in the time they quoted.
What it really costs
Every transfer has two costs:
- The fee: a fixed amount or a percentage, shown before you pay.
- The exchange-rate margin: the difference between the rate you get and the mid-market rate you see on news and finance sites. A "no fee" transfer with a weaker rate can cost more than one with a fee.
To compare fairly, enter the same amount in each app on the same day and look at how many cedis your recipient gets.
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost of sending money from the UK (all destinations) | 4.61% of the amount sent, down from 5.20% | World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide, Q3 2025 |
| UK–Ghana providers compared | See the live corridor table | World Bank RPW |
| Planned 0.75% MoMo-to-bank charge in Ghana | Suspended before its 1 June 2026 start | Bank of Ghana, via Ecofin Agency |
How long it takes
- Mobile money: often the fastest option once your identity is verified. Many providers quote minutes.
- Bank account: anywhere from the same day to a few working days, depending on the provider and the receiving bank.
- Worst case: your first transfer is held for extra identity checks, the recipient's name does not match the wallet, or a large amount triggers a source-of-funds check. Leave extra time before deadlines such as school fees.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Comparing fees only. Always compare the cedis received.
- Getting the name or number wrong. Ask your recipient to send the exact wallet name and number in a message, and copy them rather than retyping.
- Using unregistered agents. Informal "better rate" offers on social media are a common route to fraud. Check the firm on the FCA register.
- Sending a large first transfer. Start with a small amount on a new provider or recipient to confirm everything works.
- Leaving it until the deadline. Identity checks and bank processing can add a day or more.
Alternatives
- Your UK bank's international transfer. This is useful for large payments to a Ghanaian bank account, but compare its exchange rate carefully.
- A foreign currency account in Ghana. If your family needs pounds or dollars, ask their Ghanaian bank about receiving foreign currency into a foreign currency account.
- Paying bills directly. For school fees or hospital bills, ask whether the institution accepts international payments, so the money goes straight to the bill.
Official links
- FCA Financial Services Register: check a UK provider
- World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide: UK to Ghana
- Bank of Ghana: payment systems and remittance guidelines
Frequently asked questions
Will my family receive pounds or cedis?
Usually cedis. Under Bank of Ghana guidelines, inward remittances through licensed electronic money issuers and payment service providers are paid out in Ghana cedis. Payout partners convert them at a reference rate the Bank of Ghana prescribes. If your recipient needs pounds or dollars, ask their bank whether it can receive foreign currency into a foreign currency account.
What is the cheapest way to send money to Ghana from the UK?
It changes with the amount, the exchange rate and promotions, so there is no single answer. Compare the total cedis received for your exact amount across several regulated providers on the same day. The World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide site lists providers on this corridor.
Is it safe to send money through mobile money?
Mobile money is a common and regulated way to receive remittances in Ghana. The Bank of Ghana's guidelines cover transfers into mobile money wallets. The main risk is sending to the wrong number, so double-check the name and number.
Is there a charge to move money from a MoMo wallet to a bank?
The Bank of Ghana suspended a planned 0.75% charge on mobile-money-to-bank transfers before it was due to start on 1 June 2026. Network and bank charges can still apply, so check with the provider.
How do I know a money transfer company is legitimate?
Look it up on the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk and check that the firm's name and website match the entry. Be wary of anyone offering a much better rate through an unregistered channel.
Sources
- Bank of Ghana: Updated guidelines for inward remittance services by PSPs (November 2023)
- Bank of Ghana: Guidelines for the registration and operations of international money transfer operators (December 2025)
- World Bank: Remittance Prices Worldwide, United Kingdom to Ghana
- World Bank: Remittance Prices Worldwide main report, Q3 2025
- Financial Conduct Authority: Financial Services Register
- Ecofin Agency: Ghana suspends planned mobile money-to-bank transfer fee
Fees and rules change. We last checked these facts on 30 September 2026. Always confirm with the official office before you pay. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.