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Most expatriates will hire local domestic workers to help with babysitting and childcare. Hired women often provide a number of services in addition to child minding (cooking, cleaning, washing), and are hired by expats even if they do not have kids.

This industry is extremely unregulated, and largely filled by local Ghanaian women or immigrants/refugees from other West African countries. Although there are some agencies - like those listed on GhanaWeb - most expats will hire domestic help through personal references and connections.

If you are looking for a babysitter, the following tips can help facilitate the process:

• Check with your local embassy. They may be able to recommend individuals who have cared for the children of other expats from your home country.
• Use your personal network. Referrals and word of mouth are essential in finding high quality help.
• Ask around popular expat locations. If your personal network is still small, a poster or a couple of conversations at a popular expat hangout might connect you to babysitters and nannies.
• Use the EasyExpat Ghana forum to connect with other expats for advice and referrals.
• Check the Accra Expat classified section for postings on babysitters, nannies and domestic help more broadly.
• Interview and have a trial period! Even with a great referral, it is well worth your time to sit down with your possible candidate and get to know them. Be sure to ask them about past work experience and for references.

The practice of hiring au-pair's (foreign babysitters) is not especially common in Accra, given the availability of locals. For more information on this option, refer to our section under "Find a Job".

Prices

Domestic workers are exempt from national minimum wage regulations, and national regulations on breaks and time off. The price you pay for domestic help will vary greatly based on the experience of the worker and the way in which you found her (through an agency being more expensive).