Ghana Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Ghana
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated April 8, 2025
Ghana recorded 1.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Ghana #120 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 12% over the past decade (from 2.1 in 2012). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Ghana at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
1.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#76 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (2001-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 12% over the past decade (from 2.1 in 2012). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Ghana Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Ghana, the homicide rate for men is 2.8× higher than the rate for women — 2.7 vs 1.0 per 100,000 (2022).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Ghana:
Updated to reflect threats against women travelers and increased risks in specific regions. Exercise increased caution in Ghana due to crime and violence against women travelers and lesbian, gay, and bisexual travelers . Some areas of Ghana have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Reconsider Travel to: The Upper East Region, North East Region, Upper West Region, and the western portion of the Savannah Region (all areas west of the N12 Highway) that shares a border with Burkina Faso and Cte d'Ivoire due to civil unrest and crime.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Ghana
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated January 06, 2021).
Crime
Violent crimes, such as armed robbery and kidnapping, occasionally occur. Robberies on highways are of particular concern, especially at night. Armed robbers also sometimes target vehicles coming from Kotoka International Airport. If your car is hit by another car while you are driving, go directly to the nearest police station to report the incident. Reports of residential robberies continue to be on the rise. Street crime remains a serious problem in Accra and other large cities. Thieves carry out crimes of opportunity, such as “snatch & grabs,” on city streets in isolated areas as well as from vehicles idling in traffic. Pickpockets are also prevalent in crowded areas. Luggage and travel document theft occurs at Kotoka International Airport in Accra and in hotels across Ghana. Keep your documents secure at all times, and don’t leave your baggage unattended.
Demonstrations
occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information. Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Ghana. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include: Romance/online dating Money transfers Lucrative sales Gold purchase Contracts with promises of large commissions Grandparent/relative targeting Free trip/luggage Lotteries Inheritance notices Work permits/job offers Bank overpayments
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at +233 (0)30-277-3906 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +233-(0)30-274-1000 ext. 1570. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Help you find appropriate medical care. Assist you in reporting a crime to the police. Contact relatives or friends with your written consent. Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms. Provide a list of local attorneys. Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States. Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution. Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
Domestic Violence
: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tourism
: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated outside of the major cities, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities may not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to easily access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .
Maritime Security
: Piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea continue to trend upwards. Pirates/armed groups operating in the region typically carry out attacks on vessels using automatic weapons. Attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and robbery of crew, passengers, and ship’s property continue to be common occurrences.
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Ghana Population & Demographics
Population of 34,427,414, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ghana safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Ghana at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 1.8 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Ghana?
Ghana has an intentional homicide rate of 1.8 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #120 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Ghana?
Ghana is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Ghana compare to other countries?
Ghana's homicide rate of 1.8 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.