Relocating abroad from Ghana? What to do with everything you can't take

Every month, people leave Ghana to work or study abroad — in the UK, Canada, the US, Germany and elsewhere. The visa and the flight get all the attention. Then, a few weeks before departure, comes the part nobody plans for: a home full of things that will not fit in a couple of suitcases.

The bed, the fridge, the gas cylinder, the TV, the wardrobe, the kitchen full of pots. This guide gives you a timeline and a simple system for deciding what to take, what to sell, what to give away, and what to leave with family.

Start eight weeks before you leave

Everything takes longer than expected in the final weeks. Starting early is the single thing that makes relocating less stressful.

• Eight weeks out: go through every room and make a list of everything you own.
• Six weeks out: list your most valuable items for sale.
• Four weeks out: start giving away the things that are not worth selling.
• Two weeks out: give away most of what is left. Keep a small "last week kit" — a pot, a plate, a mattress, a fan.
• Final days: hand over the last kit, and leave the home as your tenancy agreement requires.

Sort everything into four piles

Take

Only what you genuinely need and cannot easily replace: documents, sentimental items, clothes suited to where you are going, and valuables. Shipping furniture abroad usually costs more than replacing it.

Sell

Newer electronics, good appliances, quality furniture and anything with clear resale value. Price realistically and give yourself enough time.

Give away

Most of your household. Things that are useful but not worth much second-hand: plastic chairs, kitchen items, curtains, buckets, fans, an iron, clean mattresses, shoes and clothes.

Leave with family

Be honest with yourself here. Leaving a room full of boxes with a relative often just moves the problem to them. Leave only what they have agreed to take and will actually use.

Why giving away is often the smarter option

When you are leaving, time is the thing you have least of. Selling means photographing, negotiating, and waiting for buyers who may not turn up. For most everyday items the money involved is small.

Giving things away is faster, involves no haggling, and means your things go to people who need them. On Givny, people nearby request what you list and arrange their own collection, so you can clear a whole room in a weekend. Set a clear collection deadline in each listing so everything is gone before you are.

Specific items that need thought

Gas cylinder

A gas cylinder is valuable to someone else. Close the valve, disconnect the regulator, and hand it over upright. Do not leave it in an empty house.

Fridge and freezer

Switch it off and defrost it at least a day before collection. Clean it, dry it and leave the door propped open so it does not smell.

Phone and SIM card

Decide whether you will keep your Ghana number. Banks and mobile money services often send codes to it, and losing access can make it very hard to manage accounts from abroad. If you are giving away old phones, wipe them properly first.

Documents

Keep certificates, land and property documents, and anything with legal or financial weight. Shred or burn old bank statements and anything else with personal information before you leave.

Furniture

Big pieces take the longest to go. List them first. Our guide on how to donate furniture in Ghana covers measurements, photos and transport.

The handover week

• Be present for every handover, or have someone you trust there.
• Keep a simple list of what has gone and what is left.
• Check your tenancy agreement for what must stay behind and the condition the rooms must be left in, so your deposit is not held up.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I start giving things away before relocating?

Around four weeks before you leave is a good time to start giving things away, after your valuable items are listed for sale. Big furniture should go first, because it takes longest to arrange collection.

What should I do with my furniture when moving abroad from Ghana?

Sell the valuable pieces early and give the rest away. Shipping furniture abroad rarely makes sense unless it is valuable or sentimental.

Can I give things away on Givny if I am leaving soon?

Yes. Put a clear collection deadline in each listing, such as "must be collected by Saturday 14th", so everything is gone before you travel.

Should I ship my belongings abroad?

Usually only documents, sentimental items and valuables. For most household items, shipping costs more than buying replacements when you arrive.

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Moving abroad soon? List what you can't take on Givny and let people nearby collect it — free, and much less stressful than selling.