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 Cộte d’Ivoire due to civil unrest and crime. Country Summary: Violent crimes, such as carjacking, street mugging, assaults, and rape do occur. These crimes often happen at night and in isolated locations. Sexual assault, such as rape, is significantly underreported and remains a serious problem. While domestic violence is criminal under Ghanian law, police rarely respond to reports of domestic violence. 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 Ghanaian law contains prohibitions on “unnatural carnal knowledge” – generally interpreted as any kind of sexual intimacy – between persons of the same sex, though in practice, the law is largely used to target men. Punishments can include fines and/or incarceration of up to three years. Rhetoric and violence targeting individuals on the basis of sexual orientation have increased in recent years. Individuals have reported safety incidents that include targeted assault, rape, mob attacks, and harassment due to their sexual orientation. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Ghana. If you decide to travel to Ghana: Review our page for health and security risks for Women Travelers . See our Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Travelers Information page and our Human Rights Report for further details. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive ale