Crime in Ghana: Safety Risks, High Crime Areas, and How to Stay Safe.

Overview of Crime in Ghana

Serious crime in Ghana is rare, but is still a concern for both residents and visitors, although the country remains safer than many neighboring nations. The intentional homicide rate is about 1.8 per 100,000 people, which is far below both the African regional average and the global average. This means violent crime in Ghana is relatively low compared to many parts of the world.

Crime levels have fluctuated in recent years. Reports of robbery, burglary, and assault increased during the early 2020s in urban centers like Accra and Kumasi. More recently, crime reports fell by about ten percent in 2023 due to improved police patrol visibility and public awareness efforts.

Visitors and expats generally feel welcomed in Ghana, but staying aware of your surroundings is still important. Locals often say the same thing: Ghana is friendly, but common sense goes a long way.

Types of Crime in Ghana

Petty Theft and Pickpocketing

Petty theft is the most frequent crime in Ghana. Pickpockets operate in markets, transport hubs, beaches, and tourist areas. Thieves on motorbikes may grab phones or bags. Hotel guests have also reported missing items when belongings were left unattended.

Armed Robbery

Armed robbery is rare in Ghana and occurs less often than petty theft but is a more serious type of crime. Criminals sometimes target homes or travelers, especially at night along major highways. Some robbery victims have been injured when resisting. Compliance is strongly recommended during an incident.

Residential Burglary

Burglaries affect both locals and foreigners. Even gated compounds in neighborhoods like Airport Residential, Cantonments, and East Legon have experienced break-ins. These incidents tend to increase during holidays when many people travel.

Fraud and Scams

ATM fraud, card cloning, and impersonation scams occur at the airport, on roads, and online. Romance scams and advance-fee fraud remain a problem. Visitors should be cautious toward unsolicited business offers or sudden financial requests from strangers.

Assaults and Other Offenses

Altercations occasionally break out in nightlife areas or during local disputes. Kidnapping is rare but has occurred in a few high-profile cases. These situations reinforce the need for trusted transportation and careful interaction with new acquaintances.

High Crime Areas in Ghana

Crime is more likely in larger cities due to population density. Accra has the highest number of incidents, followed by Kumasi. Within these cities, several neighborhoods have higher crime levels than others.

Accra High Crime Areas

Nima, Agbogbloshie, Avenor, Sowutuom, Ashaiman, and Sukura are known for frequent robberies, theft, and gang activity. Locals advise avoiding these areas after dark unless necessary.

Kumasi

In Kumasi, the Adum and Asafo market zones are busy and crowded, creating opportunities for pickpocketing and occasional violent theft.

Tema and Ashaiman

Ashaiman is designated as a crime flashpoint due to gang activity and frequent violent incidents.

Northern Border Regions

Border zones near Burkina Faso carry risks of armed banditry and instability. Most travelers do not need to visit these areas, but those heading north should stay updated on security conditions.

Inter City Highways

Nighttime highway robberies have occurred on roads such as the Kintampo to Tamale corridor. Long distance travel is best done during daylight.

Police Presence and Public Safety

The Ghana Police Service has more than thirty thousand officers nationwide. You will notice frequent police checkpoints in Accra, especially at night. Embassies and expat neighborhoods often have dedicated patrols. However, rural northern regions have fewer stations, with only a small percentage of communities having nearby police facilities.

The national emergency number is 112. It connects callers to police, fire, or ambulance services. Response times vary significantly by region. In Accra, response may be quicker, while remote areas sometimes experience long delays.

Efforts to improve policing include patrol visibility programs, investigative training, and cooperation with international partners. Still, challenges remain, including limited resources, slow response times, and occasional reports of corruption. Because of this, locals often rely on both police and private security companies for protection.

Tips for Staying Safe in Ghana

• Keep valuables secured. Markets like Makola or Kejetia are exciting but require attention to personal belongings.
• Avoid walking alone at night. Use ride hailing services like Uber or Bolt. Keep car doors locked and windows rolled up.
• Secure your home. Use strong locks, window bars, alarms, and avoid leaving gates open.
• Use safe ATMs. Withdraw cash at banks or well lit areas. Avoid counting money in public.
• Know emergency contacts. Save 112 and your embassy’s number. Identify a reliable hospital or clinic before you need one.
• Tell someone your plans. Share your location when taking long taxi rides or traveling outside major cities.
• Trust local advice. Ghanaians often give honest warnings about unsafe areas. If something feels wrong, avoid it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ghana safe for tourists and expats?

Yes. Most visitors and expats live in Ghana without serious problems. However, petty theft and occasional robberies do exist, so staying alert is important.

What should I do if I become a victim of crime?

Move to a safe place and call 112. File a report at the nearest police station, and notify your embassy for additional support. Do not resist if confronted during a robbery unless your life is in immediate danger.

Which areas should I avoid?

Avoid high risk neighborhoods like Nima, Agbogbloshie, Ashaiman, Avenor, Sowutuom, and Sukura, especially at night. In Kumasi, central market areas can be crowded and prone to theft. Border regions near Burkina Faso also require caution.

Sources

Academic and Data Sources

Crime Drop in Ghana? Patterns and Trends (2021)
Peer-reviewed study analyzing Ghana’s crime trends over two decades.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41300-021-00130-0

CEIC Global Database – Ghana Intentional Homicides
Reliable homicide-rate dataset showing Ghana’s low murder rate.
https://www.ceicdata.com/en/ghana/health-statistics/gh-intentional-homicides-per-100000-people

UNODC Global Crime Statistics
International crime data including homicide comparisons.
https://dataunodc.un.org/content/data

Official Ghana Law Enforcement and Crime Data

Ghana Police Service Annual Report
Official recorded crimes, policing challenges, and nationwide stats.
https://police.gov.gh/en/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ANNUAL-REPORT-2016.pdf

Government Travel Advisories (Strong for Safety Guidance)

U.S. Department of State – Ghana Travel Advisory
Highlights risks like armed robbery, burglary, and nighttime highway attacks.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ghana-travel-advisory.html

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – Ghana Safety
Details robbery trends, high-crime zones, and updated travel warnings.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ghana/safety-and-security

Government of Australia – Ghana Travel Advice
Notes border-region risks, petty theft, and road safety warnings.
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/ghana

Public Perception and Policing Challenges

Afrobarometer – Public Trust in Ghana Police
Survey research showing mixed public confidence and corruption concerns.
https://www.afrobarometer.org

Expats and Practical Safety Insights

Expat Life Ghana – Safety Tips Guide
Supports practical everyday advice like securing valuables and avoiding certain areas at night.
https://expatlifeghana.com/safety-tips-and-advice-to-know-before-travelling-to-ghana/

General Safety and Global Comparative Data

World Bank – Worldwide Governance Indicators (Rule of Law & Safety)
Helps contextualize Ghana’s policing effectiveness and governance quality.
https://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/