🇬🇭 Ghana

Night

Violent crime is described as happening mostly at night and in remote places, and the FCDO advises against road travel outside the main towns after dark. In cities, avoid walking alone at night and use a pre-booked or registered taxi.

Solo travel

Thieves often target people who seem wealthy or vulnerable, and the US advises extra awareness if you walk by yourself. Share your plans, stay in places with good security and avoid isolated beaches and quiet roads.

Solo women

Canada reports harassment and verbal abuse of women travelling alone, and the US names violence against women as a reason for caution and says rape is significantly underreported. Dress modestly, avoid isolated places and unlicensed transport at night, and keep emergency contacts to hand.

Big cities and tourist areas

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are increasing in Accra, and Japan reports frequent robbery and theft in Accra and Kumasi. Theft is the main problem at beaches, with isolated violent incidents, and a small number of thefts of luggage and documents are reported at Kotoka International Airport. Keep valuables out of sight and cards and documents separate.

Remote areas and rural roads

Emergency medical services are limited outside Accra, and serious emergencies need medical evacuation, so check that your insurance covers it. Police roadblocks are common and criminal groups may use blockades to stop vehicles. Stay calm and follow instructions.

Public transport

Tro-tros and app-based taxis are not centrally licensed. Singapore advises using only registered taxis, and the FCDO says pre-booked vehicles from reputable companies are safer outside major towns.

LGBTIQ+ travellers

Sex between men is a crime, with a maximum of 3 years in prison according to ILGA, the Human Dignity Trust and the US State Department. The FCDO and Canada cite penalties of up to 25 years, so sources differ on the exact penalty. There are arrests but no known convictions, and regular reports of assault, mob attacks, detention and extortion. The FCDO says Ghanaian society is intolerant of same-sex affection in public. Germany says there is no systematic state persecution.

In May 2026 Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. It would punish people who hold themselves out as LGBTIQ+, advocacy, allies and anyone who houses people covered by the law, and it needs the president's signature, which he has said he supports. The FCDO, Germany and the US all warn of rising hostility or violence. The current penal code provision covers men only, and the US says it is mostly enforced against men. The risk differs a lot between a discreet visitor in an international hotel and a local resident or a visibly non-conforming traveller. Avoid public displays of affection, be careful with dating apps because of extortion reports, and have a plan for getting help.

Floods

Germany reports local flooding in all parts of the country. Canada says flooding is common in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions during the rainy season, so check conditions before you travel there and do not drive through floodwater. The FCDO removed its flooding information for Accra and surrounding areas in its July 2026 update.

Harmattan

Canada describes the harmattan as a burning, dusty and sand-filled wind that blows from December to March. Expect dust, dry air and reduced visibility, and carry medication if you have asthma or allergies.

Earthquakes

Germany says Ghana lies in a seismically active zone, so earthquakes can occur. Know the exits in your accommodation.

Sea

The FCDO says swimming is dangerous on the beaches along the southern coast because of rip tides and undertows. Do not swim alone or at unguarded beaches.

Mosquito-borne diseases

Malaria transmission is widespread across the whole country all year, and prescription prevention is recommended for every traveller (atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine). Yellow fever risk is also countrywide. Day-biting mosquitoes spread dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Use repellent, cover up and sleep under a net or in a screened or air-conditioned room.

Food, water and other infections

Typhoid and hepatitis A spread through contaminated food and water, and STIKO describes typhoid as strongly endemic. Singapore lists diarrhoeal illness and cholera as prevalent. CDC says cholera transmission is localized to five regions with no recent cases, and that it is rare in travellers. Drink bottled or treated water and eat food that is freshly cooked. Avoid fresh water for swimming because of schistosomiasis.

Rabies and other animal-borne risks

CDC says infected dogs are commonly found, and rabies vaccines may only be available in larger urban medical facilities. Avoid contact with animals and wash any bite thoroughly, then get urgent care. CDC lists Lassa fever, which you reduce by avoiding rodents and sick people.

Meningitis, measles and mpox

Ghana lies in the meningitis belt, which matters most for northern travel in the dry season. Measles is endemic or elevated, so confirm your own vaccination. ECDC names Ghana among African countries with mpox outbreaks in 2025 and 2026, spread mainly by sexual contact.

Ebola outbreak elsewhere

A large Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is under way in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with one case imported to Kenya, according to ECDC's October 2026 report. Ghana is not named in that report. Check current WHO and your own government's guidance before you travel.

Medical care

The US says medical infrastructure is limited and emergency services are limited outside Accra, and the FCDO says facilities are poor outside towns. Serious emergencies need medical evacuation, so buy insurance that covers it.

Vaccine advice and legal entry rules are separate. Plan them at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead.

Legal entry requirement

Ghana requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from any country (WHO, the German STIKO and DTG table, CDC and TravelHealthPro). The FCDO and Singapore state the certificate is required without giving the age. Singapore notes the certificate counts as valid 10 days after vaccination and then for life. The vaccine is not suitable for everyone, so see a travel clinic early.

Recommended for most travellers

Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccination are recommended for most travellers, and CDC recommends hepatitis B. Make sure routine vaccinations are up to date, including measles (MMR) and polio.

For certain itineraries

Meningococcal ACWY is recommended for meningitis-belt areas, particularly the north, and for healthcare workers, people visiting friends and relatives, backpackers and long-stay travellers. Consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination for rural travel, animal contact, long stays or activities such as running and cycling. Oral cholera vaccine may be considered for areas of active transmission or limited safe water. CDC recommends mpox vaccination for adults with qualifying activities. STIKO recommends the dengue vaccine only if you have had a confirmed dengue infection, and lists chikungunya for risk-associated travel while CDC generally does not recommend it.

Malaria tablets

Malaria prevention is a medicine, not a vaccine. Ask a travel health clinician which tablets suit you.

Governments agree that Ghana is generally stable but that crime, road safety and the far north need care. They differ on how much of the north to warn against.

Regional warnings compared

The FCDO warns against all but essential travel to the Bawku Municipal Area only. Australia says not to travel to the northern border with Burkina Faso and to reconsider travel to the Upper East and Upper West regions. Canada says to avoid non-essential travel within 25 km of the Burkina Faso border. Germany has a partial travel warning for the Burkina Faso and Togo border areas in Upper West and Upper East and advises against the northern Cote d'Ivoire border areas in Savannah and Bono. The United States asks you to reconsider travel to the northern border in the Upper East, Northeast and Upper West regions and areas west of the N12 in the Savannah Region, because of crime. Japan's notice, a little over two years old, advises against non-essential travel to the border zones and Upper East. New Zealand, Singapore and the Hong Kong Security Bureau give no area-specific warnings for Ghana. The UK is the only government warning against Bawku specifically, while Australia treats the Burkina Faso border as the most dangerous place.

Nationwide wording

The United States and New Zealand say exercise increased caution, Canada and Australia both ask you to take a great deal of care across the whole country, and Singapore says exercise caution. Japan uses its lowest caution wording outside its warned areas. Hong Kong has no alert.

Same-sex penalties

The FCDO and Canada say same-sex acts can bring prison terms of up to 25 years. The US, ILGA and the Human Dignity Trust give a maximum of 3 years. The FCDO, Germany and the US all warn of rising hostility or violence linked to the anti-LGBTIQ+ bill.

Entry and health

Governments and health bodies agree on the yellow fever certificate. They differ slightly on other vaccines: CDC recommends hepatitis B for all, TravelHealthPro says it could be considered, and STIKO lists it for risk-associated travel.