USD – US Dollar ($)
GBP – British Pound (£)
EUR – Euro (€)
CAD – Canadian Dollar (C$)
CNY – Chinese Yuan (Â¥)
NGN – Nigerian Naira (₦)
Enter the current bank or forex bureau rate for 1 Unit of foreign currency (e.g., 1 USD = 16.2 GHS).
Converted Amount:
0.00 GHS
How to Calculate Exchange Rates in Ghana
Understanding how to convert the Ghana Cedi (GHS) against major trading currencies like the US Dollar (USD), British Pound (GBP), and Euro (EUR) is essential for business owners, travelers, and anyone handling international transactions in Ghana. The exchange rate determines the value of one currency relative to another.
Understanding the Buy vs. Sell Rate
When you visit a bank or a Forex Bureau in Accra or Kumasi, you will typically see two rates displayed:
Buying Rate: The rate at which the bank will buy foreign currency from you (Foreign → GHS). If you have Dollars and want Cedis, the bank "buys" your dollars.
Selling Rate: The rate at which the bank sells foreign currency to you (GHS → Foreign). If you have Cedis and need to pay a supplier in China or the UK, the bank "sells" you the foreign currency.
The selling rate is almost always higher than the buying rate. This spread is the profit margin for the financial institution.
Formula for Conversion
Most exchange rates in Ghana are quoted as "How many Cedis for 1 Unit of Foreign Currency" (e.g., 1 USD = 15.80 GHS). Here is how the math works:
1. Converting Foreign Currency to Cedis:
Multiply your foreign amount by the exchange rate. Example: $1,000 USD at a rate of 15.80 = 15,800 GHS.
2. Converting Cedis to Foreign Currency:
Divide your Cedi amount by the exchange rate. Example: 5,000 GHS divided by a rate of 15.80 = $316.45 USD.
Factors Affecting the Cedi
The value of the Ghana Cedi fluctuates based on several economic factors, including:
Inflation Rates: Higher inflation in Ghana relative to trade partners can depreciate the Cedi.
Import Demand: High demand for imported goods requires more foreign currency, driving up the rate.
Export Revenue: Revenue from cocoa, gold, and oil helps strengthen the Cedi by increasing foreign reserves.
BoG Policy: The Bank of Ghana's monetary policies and interest rate adjustments influence liquidity and value.
// Initial State Variables
var currentDirection = 'foreign_to_ghs';
// Estimated Base Rates (For Demo Pre-fill Only – User should update these)
// Format: 1 Foreign Unit = X GHS
var estimatedRates = {
"USD": 16.20,
"GBP": 20.50,
"EUR": 17.10,
"CAD": 11.80,
"CNY": 2.25,
"NGN": 0.010 // 1 Naira is very small compared to Cedi, usually calculated inversely but kept standard here
};
// Initialize fields
window.onload = function() {
updatePlaceholderRate();
};
function setDirection(direction) {
currentDirection = direction;
// Update UI Toggle classes
var btn1 = document.getElementById('dir_foreign_ghs');
var btn2 = document.getElementById('dir_ghs_foreign');
var label = document.getElementById('amount_label');
if (direction === 'foreign_to_ghs') {
btn1.classList.add('active');
btn2.classList.remove('active');
label.innerText = 'Amount in Foreign Currency';
} else {
btn1.classList.remove('active');
btn2.classList.add('active');
label.innerText = 'Amount in Ghana Cedis (GHS)';
}
// Clear result on switch to avoid confusion
document.getElementById('ghs_result').style.display = 'none';
}
function updatePlaceholderRate() {
var currency = document.getElementById('currency_type').value;
var rateField = document.getElementById('exchange_rate');
// Pre-fill with estimate if the field is empty or user hasn't typed recently
// Ideally, we just suggest it.
if (estimatedRates[currency]) {
rateField.value = estimatedRates[currency];
}
}
function calculateExchange() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ghs_amount').value);
var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('exchange_rate').value);
var currency = document.getElementById('currency_type').value;
// 2. Validate
if (isNaN(amount) || amount <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid amount to convert.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(rate) || rate <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid exchange rate.");
return;
}
// 3. Perform Calculation logic
var result = 0;
var resultCurrency = "";
var breakdownText = "";
if (currentDirection === 'foreign_to_ghs') {
// Formula: Foreign Amount * Rate = GHS
result = amount * rate;
resultCurrency = "GHS";
breakdownText = amount.toLocaleString() + " " + currency + " x " + rate + " (Rate) = " + result.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " GHS";
} else {
// Formula: GHS Amount / Rate = Foreign
// Note: This assumes the rate input is still "1 Foreign = X GHS" (standard convention in Ghana)
result = amount / rate;
resultCurrency = currency;
breakdownText = amount.toLocaleString() + " GHS / " + rate + " (Rate) = " + result.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " " + currency;
}
// 4. Formatting Symbols
var symbol = "";
if (resultCurrency === "USD") symbol = "$";
else if (resultCurrency === "GBP") symbol = "£";
else if (resultCurrency === "EUR") symbol = "€";
else if (resultCurrency === "CAD") symbol = "C$";
else if (resultCurrency === "CNY") symbol = "Â¥";
else if (resultCurrency === "NGN") symbol = "₦";
else if (resultCurrency === "GHS") symbol = "₵";
// 5. Display Result
var resultBox = document.getElementById('ghs_result');
var resultValue = document.getElementById('final_value');
var calculationBreakdown = document.getElementById('calculation_breakdown');
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
resultValue.innerHTML = symbol + result.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " " + resultCurrency + "";
calculationBreakdown.innerHTML = "Calculation: " + breakdownText;
}