Safest cities in Ghana
22 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
US 2/4 Exercise increased cautionUK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Bawku Municipality
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in GhanaTerrorist attacks in Ghana cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:
Political situation
- Demonstrations in the capital Accra are normally well policed and peaceful, but sometimes they occur at short notice and can cause disruption. Protests may result in restriction of movement. Follow local media for updates on planned routes.
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsCases of robbery, burglary and serious assault have become more common since 2021, and in some cases involve the use of weapons. Foreign nationals have been attacked and robbed at gunpoint. Street crime like pickpocketing and bag-snatching is on the increase in Accra. To reduce your personal risk:
- Safety at beachesTheft is the main problem at beaches, but there have been isolated incidents of violent crime and sexual assault in areas popular with tourists. Do not visit beaches alone and take care on public beaches.
- Safety at airportsThere are reports of a small number of thefts of luggage and travel documents at Kotoka International Airport. Make sure your passport is always secure and do not leave your bags unattended. Be wary of offers of help except from uniformed porters or officials. All permanent staff at the airport wear an ID card showing their name and a photo. ID…
- Accommodation securityThere have been cases of burglaries in areas used by the international community, including Airport Residential, Cantonments, Ridge and Kokrobite, with greater frequency over the Christmas period. Make sure doors and windows are locked and keep all valuables in a secure lockbox. Set the burglar alarm if your accommodation has one.
- Vehicle crimeAttacks on vehicles are increasing, sometimes involving the use of weapons. A British national died in one such attack in August 2021. Take particular care when your car or taxi is stationary in a busy area. Keep windows up and doors locked.
- Criminal kidnapThere have been reports in the media of criminally motivated kidnapping in Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi, including the targeting of foreign nationals. Kidnaps can be for financial or political gain. If you’re kidnapped, the reason for your presence in Ghana is unlikely to serve as a protection or secure your safe release.
- ScamsScam artists target foreign visitors and residents. The scams come in many forms – romance and friendship, business ventures, work and employment opportunities – and can cause great financial loss. Warn your friends and family to be sceptical if they’re asked to transfer funds to you in Ghana. Tell them to contact you to check that you’ve made…
- Bank card fraudKeep your card in sight when paying bills and look closely when you use an ATM in case a skimming device has been attached to it.
Laws and cultural differences
- Dress codeDress modestly in public. Shorts and t-shirts are acceptable for both males and females, but it is best not to wear anything too revealing.
- Personal IDIt is advisable to carry ID. A copy of your passport’s photo page is acceptable. Keep the original in a safe place such as a hotel safe.
- Illegal drugsThe possession of Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties.
- Using cameras in secure areasPhotography near sensitive sites like military installations or the airport is illegal. Ask permission if you want to take a photograph of a building where there are guards on duty. Beware of self-appointed officials trying to charge fees to let you take pictures of well-known sites of interest.
- LGBT+ travellersSome same-sex sexual acts could lead to a prison sentence of between 3 and 25 years. Although there are no records of this being enforced, there were arrests at a gathering of the LGBT+ community in 2021. Ghanaian society is intolerant of people of the same sex showing affection in public. Many Ghanaians do not accept that such relationships exist.
- Family law in GhanaGhanaian family law is very different from UK law, particularly when child custody becomes an issue. Ghana is not a signatory to the Hague Convention. This means:
- MoneyWhile ATMs are common in large towns, they may not be available in rural areas. Many hotels, guesthouses and shops accept credit cards except for Mastercard, which is not widely accepted. Check ahead that you can make payment, and have back-up funds.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Swimming safetySwimming is dangerous on the beaches along the southern coast of Ghana due to rip tides and undertows. There are occasional reports of deaths of both adults and children.
Transport risks
- Road travelYou can drive in Ghana using the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) or a Ghanaian driving licence. Carry your driving documents with you.
- Driving standardsRoads can be in a poor condition, particularly in rural areas. Grass or leaves strewn in the road often mean there is an accident or other hazard ahead.
- Extreme weather and natural disastersFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
- FloodingFlooding is common in the Upper West, North East, Northern and Savannah regions during the rainy season, from March to November.
- EarthquakesEarthquakes and tremors are a risk in Ghana. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Ghana, updated 2026-07-02 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 1.83 /100k2022
- Income inequality
- Gini 43.52016
- Human development
- HDI 0.6282023
- Income
- $8,080/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 25.7 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 66/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 58/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 43/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 5.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.64GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 28.1 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 43%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.3 doctors /1k0.7 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 196 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 4.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 1.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 1.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Ghana (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Ghana compares
| Measure | Ghana | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 1.8 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −0.5 /100k — better for Ghana |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 43.5 | 35.2 | +8.3 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.628 | 0.763 | −0.135 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 25.7 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +10.3 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 58/100 | 52/100 | +6/100 — better for Ghana |
| Corruption perceptions | 43/100 | 39/100 | +4/100 — better for Ghana |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 28.1 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +8.4 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 5.1/10 | 3.8/10 | +1.3/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Ghana | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 1.8 /100k | 4.7 /100k | −2.8 /100k — better for Ghana |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 43.5 | 38.3 | +5.3 — better for Africa median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.628 | 0.560 | +0.068 — better for Ghana |
| Road deaths | 25.7 /100k | 28.2 /100k | −2.5 /100k — better for Ghana |
| Rule of law | 58/100 | 42/100 | +16/100 — better for Ghana |
| Corruption perceptions | 43/100 | 30/100 | +13/100 — better for Ghana |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 28.1 µg/m³ | 27.3 µg/m³ | +0.8 µg/m³ — better for Africa median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | −0.2/10 — better for Ghana |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 22 cities, safest first
- Accra67.7 · #3727 worldwide
- Kumasi67.7 · #3728 worldwide
- Sekondi-Takoradi67.7 · #3729 worldwide
- Tamale67.7 · #3730 worldwide
- Cape Coast67.7 · #3731 worldwide
- Koforidua67.7 · #3732 worldwide
- Obuasi67.7 · #3733 worldwide
- Ho67.7 · #3734 worldwide
- Sunyani67.7 · #3735 worldwide
- Agona Swedru67.7 · #3736 worldwide
- Techiman67.7 · #3737 worldwide
- Hohoe67.7 · #3738 worldwide
- Kato67.7 · #3739 worldwide
- Odumase67.7 · #3740 worldwide
- Anloga67.7 · #3741 worldwide
- Kintampo67.7 · #3742 worldwide
- Akim Oda67.7 · #3743 worldwide
- Winneba67.7 · #3744 worldwide
- Patase67.7 · #3745 worldwide
- Asamankese67.7 · #3746 worldwide
- Suhum67.7 · #3747 worldwide
- Yendi63.3 · #4193 worldwide