Ghana Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution when traveling to Ghana due to crime, poor health infrastructure, violence against women, and violence against lesbian and gay travelers. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime

Violent crime, such as carjacking, street mugging, assault, and rape occurs in Ghana. These crimes often happen at night and in remote locations. Criminal groups may use blockades to slow down or stop vehicles. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially when walking or driving at night. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

Crimes of opportunity, including petty theft, are a serious problem in Ghana. Thieves often target people who seem wealthy or vulnerable. These crimes usually happen at night and in remote places. Always stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you are walking by yourself.

Sexual assault, such as rape, is significantly underreported in Ghana. Domestic violence is a crime in Ghana, but police rarely respond to reports of domestic violence. Female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage under the age of 18 is illegal in Ghana. However, both remain a serious problem for girls younger than 18 in some regions.

Reconsider travel to the northern border in the Upper East Region, the Northeast Region, the Upper West Region, and areas west of the N12 highway in the Savannah Region due to crime.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Bawku Municipality

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Bawku Municipal area in the Upper East region of Ghana.

Find out why FCDO advises against travel to Bawku Municipality.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Ghana.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Ghana

Terrorist attacks in Ghana cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:

• northern border areas
• busy public locations across the country, such as: beach resorts hotels, cafes and restaurants places of worship

Several terrorist groups operate in neighbouring Burkina Faso near to Ghana’s northern border, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State. JNIM regularly conducts attacks in southern Burkina Faso near to the Ghanaian border. There have also been JNIM attacks in the northern region of Togo, which borders Ghana to the east.

Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports, and follow the advice of local authorities.

This section has safety advice for regions of Ghana. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Civil unrest in specific local regions of Ghana can build up at short notice and may become violent, sometimes involving weapons. Avoid large crowds and political protests. Take local advice if you’re in an area with heightened political tension. Local police may impose curfews to contain the situation. Curfews usually run from 7pm to 5am but times can vary. The authorities may put out a press release which is usually posted on the Ministry of the Interior’s website.

Bawku Municipality

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Bawku Municipal area in the Upper East region of Ghana. This is due to the number of violent incidents. The Ghanaian military have deployed additional military to the region to strengthen security.

If you must travel to Bawku, you are strongly advised to contact the regional police headquarters in Bolgatanga town before travelling. Frequent curfews have been put in place in Bawku, with requirements and times changing. Security checks, including roadblocks, are often in effect and you should be prepared to show identification if asked. Be prepared for the security response to change without notice.

Since October there have been a number of attacks related to the conflict in Bawku on the Nasia -Walewale-Bolgatanga road (Northeast) and the Bolgatanga- Zebilla – Bawku – Pulmankom road (Upper East). Many people are arranging police escorts when travelling along these roads. British citizens should take this into consideration including any precautionary measures before deciding to travel along these roads.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

Ghana - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Ghana due to crime.

Regional risks

Border area with Burkina Faso - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to within 25 km of the border with Burkina Faso due to the risk of inter-communal disputes and terrorist activity.

Border areas

Border areas often see higher criminal activity and violence.

Inter-communal violence related to the Bawku chieftaincy conflict is increasingly affecting northern parts of Ghana. While the country has not been targeted by extremist attacks, these flare ups could present opportunities for violent extremist groups based in Burkina Faso, as well as criminals, to expand their activities across Ghana’s northern borders.

Inter-ethnic violence

Chieftaincy disputes and political tension can sometimes lead to localized violence and unrest.

While possible throughout Ghana, these conflicts most commonly occur in the Upper East, Upper West and Volta regions.

During times of unrest, local authorities may impose curfews.

If you're travelling to an area where unrest is possible or if unrest breaks out where you are:

• monitor local media to stay up to date on the current situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• adhere to curfews

Latest curfews imposed – Ministry of the Interior, Republic of Ghana

加纳现有橙色（高风险）地区1个，黄色（中风险）地区1个，其他地区为蓝色（低风险）。具体如下：

一、橙色地区：上东省（包库地区）。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往加纳上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。

二、黄色地区：上东省（除包库地区外的其他地区）。

三、蓝色地区：其他地区。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。