Exercise increased caution in Ghana

Last Update:  Reissued with updates on health information.

Exercise increased caution in Ghana due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Exercise increased caution in:

• Parts of the Bono East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, North East, and Upper East regions due to civil unrest.

Country summary:  Violent crimes, such as carjacking and street mugging, do occur. These crimes often happen at night and in isolated locations. Exercise increased caution specifically due to crime:

• in urban areas and crowded markets
• when traveling by private or public transportation after dark as criminal elements may use blockades to slow down and restrict movement of vehicles
• in areas near the northern border in the Upper East and Upper West regions

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.  Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to more serious crimes.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Ghana.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Ghana has an unknown level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to Ghana:

• Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel, and read the Embassy COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Country Security Report for Ghana.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Areas Near the Northern Border in the Upper East and Upper West Regions – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

U.S. citizens traveling in Ghana should exercise caution while visiting border areas, in particular the northern border, and be sure to stay abreast of any or Security Alerts affecting those areas. Due to security concerns over criminal activity in remote areas, travel of U.S. government personnel to the northern and northwestern border is currently limited.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.