Travel advice for Ghana

Germany advises a high degree of caution for Ghana, and avoiding all travel for parts of it.

Avoid unnecessary travel to borders with Burkina Faso and the northern borders with Côte d’Ivoire and Togo because partly armed groups, conflict, curfews and possible emergency rules create high risk. Elsewhere, exercise caution as armed robbery and petty crime occur, especially at Accra airport, hotels and along the coast. Arrange pickups through known people or registered car services, secure valuables, and beware Gulf of Guinea piracy, online scams and fraudulent approaches.

Travellers should have special reasons to visit Ghana and remain vigilant because of crime, kidnapping and possible terrorist attacks. Avoid all non-essential travel to Upper West, Upper East and North East north of Tamale, where the security risk is high. Take extra care around Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, on the borders with Burkina Faso, Togo and Ivory Coast, and in flood-prone Northern and Savannah regions.

Travel to Ghana's northern provinces only if unavoidable, especially within 40 kilometres of the Burkina Faso border. In the rest of Ghana, exercise increased caution because of worsening security, demonstrations, property crime, scams, and internet fraud. Avoid crowds and protests, take extra care at night and in poorer districts of Accra, and expect health screening and 21 days of observation for arrivals from countries affected by Ebola.

Avoid non-essential travel to border areas with Burkina Faso, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire, and to Upper East Region excluding its Burkina Faso and Togo border areas. Take sufficient care elsewhere because terrorism threats and gun-related interethnic conflict may worsen around elections. In Accra and Kumasi, remain alert to frequent robbery and theft; a kidnapping incident involving foreign nationals has also occurred.

Travel only if essential to Ghana's northern and north-western areas bordering Burkina Faso, including areas west of Wa, because conflict and violence, terrorism and kidnapping make the area unsafe. Elsewhere, travel with caution because terrorist attacks, armed robbery, sexual violence, love scams and demonstrations are possible; avoid gatherings and travel after sunset. Prepare for flooding, Harmattan dust and earthquakes, and note strict penalties for drugs and same-sex relations.

Avoid all but essential travel to designated parts of Ghana. British citizens need a visa, a passport valid for at least six months after arrival and a yellow fever vaccination certificate. International travellers must complete a health declaration, and border entry points may use thermal screening and travel history checks for Ebola, which the WHO has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Exercise increased caution in Ghana due to crime, poor health infrastructure, violence against women and lesbian and gay travelers. Same-sex relationships are illegal; rape, domestic violence, female genital mutilation and underreporting are concerns. Emergency care is limited outside Accra. Reconsider travel to the northern border in the Upper East Region, Northeast Region, Upper West Region and areas west of the N12 highway in the Savannah Region because of crime.

Sweden advises against non-essential travel because of the security situation in the Upper West, Upper East and North East regions. It also advises against non-essential travel to areas west of the N12 in the parts of the Savannah region bordering Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.

Australia advises a high degree of caution for Ghana.

Exercise a high degree of caution throughout Ghana because of crime, terrorism, fraud, and violence and discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ people. Avoid all nonessential travel within 25 kilometres of the Burkina Faso border due to intercommunal disputes and terrorist activity. Remain alert to violence linked to the Bawku chieftaincy conflict in the Upper East, Upper West and Volta regions. Avoid Agbogbloshie, Ashaiman, Avenor, Nima, Sowutuom and Sukura at night.

Exercise heightened vigilance in northern border regions near Burkina Faso, check conditions in advance, monitor local media and avoid travel around Bawku because intercommunal violence is frequent. Elsewhere, be alert for armed or unarmed robbery and theft of bags from moving motorcycles, avoid Accra’s outskirts and poor areas such as Nima, and do not resist if robbed. Osu, Labone and Cantonments are relatively safe even at night.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Ghana, monitor mpox developments, and avoid large and political gatherings because they can become flashpoints for violent civil unrest. Terrorist attacks are a heightened risk in northern areas bordering Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso, so be alert in public places and follow local curfews. Crime, card and ATM fraud, and poor rural roads are risks, especially around Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi.

Take extra care in Ghana because crime, armed robberies, car theft, intrusions at tourist accommodation, kidnapping, terrorism and cyber fraud are risks. Avoid travel to border areas with Burkina Faso, Togo and Ivory Coast, and to Bawku, Garu, Zebilla, Tempane and Nalerigu and their surroundings because of armed and terrorist groups. Avoid protests, large crowds, night driving and public exposure, and prepare for disease, piracy and limited medical facilities.

Travel to Ghana is generally safe with usual precautions, but strongly avoid border areas with Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire and Togo border areas close to Burkina Faso. Increased vigilance is needed, especially in northern Ghana, because terrorist groups are active in the Sahel region.

Exercise normal precautions when travelling to Ghana. Estonia has no representation in Ghana, so consult other countries’ travel information; Estonian citizens need a visa, and entry or stay conditions may change without prompt notification.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Ghana.

Singapore advises normal precautions for Ghana but recommends caution because armed robbery, kidnapping, pickpocketing and purse snatching occur, especially at night in urban and isolated areas. Do not resist violent crime, use only registered taxis, and avoid protests and demonstrations because unrest can bring curfews and localised violence. Respect religious and cultural conventions and avoid drugs, which carry severe penalties. Seek vaccination advice, including yellow fever, and buy comprehensive insurance.