The Black Psychiatrists of America’s 2026 Transcultural Conference, From Roots to Restoration: Mental Health, Heritage, and Collective Healing, will be held November 12–15, 2026, in Accra, Ghana at Labadi Beach Hotel. The conference combines educational programming, cultural experiences, networking, hospital visits, guided excursions, and group dining experiences throughout Ghana. This conference is designed to provide opportunities for professional education, cultural exchange, historical learning, and community engagement in Ghana.
Pre-Conference | November 10–12
Optional pre-conference travel to the Ashanti Region includes visits to craft villages, the Manhyia Palace Museum, and a traditional naming ceremony, along with guided cultural tours, overnight accommodations, and group meals.
Conference | November 12–15
The conference officially begins on Thursday with afternoon sessions, lunch, and an evening opening reception for refreshments and networking.
On Friday, attendees will participate in conference sessions focused on international mental health and collective healing, followed by guided hospital visits and group dinners at local restaurants in Accra.
Conference sessions continue on Saturday before attendees depart for an Accra city tour featuring historical landmarks, cultural sites, and local markets. Evening group dinners and networking continue throughout the city.
On Sunday, participants are invited to travel to Cape Coast Castle for a guided historical tour and reflection activities, including lunch and CME presentations. The conference concludes Sunday evening with a closing dinner and celebration at the hotel.
Post-Conference | November 16–18
Optional post-conference travel to the Volta Region includes visits to Wli Waterfalls, Lake Volta, and the Tafi Monkey Sanctuary, along with guided excursions, overnight accommodations, and group meals.
NOTICE: We strongly recommend that all registrants purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations and provide medical coverage.
Attendees will be staying at the Labadi Beach Hotel. Accommodations in the BPA block start at $310 per room. Credit card processing fees apply and have been added to the hotel fees.
Below are PDF links to the UCLA campus maps and additional activities at and around UCLA’s campus.
When do ticket prices change?
Early Bird registration ends on July 19th, Regular registration ends on September 19th, and Late registration ends on November 11th.
Should I plan on booking an extra night before the pre-conference excursion?
Yes, if you are participating in the pre-conference, you will need to arrive in Accra by November 9th. Your check-in for the Labadi Beach Hotel will be 11/9/26 and check out will be 11/10/26.
Should I plan on booking an extra night after the post-conference excursion?
Yes, if you are participating in the post-conference, your party will return to Accra on November 18th, so you will need to book a final night. Your check-in for the Labadi Beach Hotel will be 11/18/26 and check out will be 11/19/26. Do not book your return flight before November 19th as attendees will not be back from the excursion in time.
What meals are included in the excursion fee?
The Saturday excursion (Accra) includes no meals. The Sunday excursion (Cape Coast) includes lunch. The pre-conference excursion (Kumasi/Ashanti region) and the post-conference excursion (Volta region) both include two lunches and two dinners.
Are there any special passport requirements?
Yes, passports are required for entry. The passports must be valid through May 25, 2027 or beyond, and should have at least two empty/blank pages for Ghana immigration arrival and departure stamps.
How do I obtain a visa?
Ghana has launched a new eVisa application system, and the system is now fully functional. The visa application process will be completed online. All conference attendees and accompanying family members can begin applying for their Ghana visas on October 1, 2026.
In September, our travel agent will provide each attendee and accompanying family member with a letter confirming that their trip to Ghana has been paid for in full. Once you have received this letter, you will have the documentation needed to proceed with your visa application. Visa applications are expected to be processed within approximately 3–5 days. We will provide step-by-step instructions for completing the eVisa application closer to October 1.
To make the application process as easy as possible, we recommend preparing the following documents in advance. Save each item to your computer so it will be ready to upload when you begin your application. Here is what you will need:
Passport-sized photo: Save a recent passport-sized photo to your desktop
Passport bio page: Make a clear copy of the biographical information page of your passport and save it to your desktop
Flight itinerary: Save a copy of your confirmed flight itinerary to your desktop
Yellow Fever vaccination record: Save a copy of your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate/record to your desktop
Important: Your passport should be valid for at least six months and have at least two blank pages.
Do you have any particular flight recommendations?
Yes, we recommend the direct flight from JFK to ACC via Delta Airlines.
Are the airport transfers available only from/to Kotoka International Airport (ACC)?
Yes, all transfers are from this airport, and the airport code is ACC. The old name is Kotoka International Airport. Now it’s called Accra International Airport. The code is the same.
What are the start and end dates covered by the airport transfer fee?
There are no date restrictions. Travelers will be picked up and dropped off as needed any dates around the conference period.
What vaccinations do I need?
The only vaccination required for entry into Ghana is Yellow Fever. Travelers only need to take this vaccination once in a lifetime. To enter Ghana, travelers need proof of this vaccination in the Yellow Booklet – International Certificate of Vaccination.
People who can be exempt from the yellow fever vaccine include:
You should be up to date on all your U.S. recommended immunizations such as DPT (diphtheria, pertussis) and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). Additionally, the following are strongly recommended:
Take your itinerary to a travel clinic near you or consult with your physician.
Is medical travel insurance recommended?
It’s highly recommended. Travel insurance costs depend on the total price of the trip (hotel, flight, tours) as well as the age of the person. There are several travel insurance companies who can provide this service. Our travel agent uses AgentMax. If you would like to work directly with our travel agent, please email the following information to us at [email protected]: