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Ghana · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Accra scores 70/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Accra is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and road risks require attention. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Ghana · Assessed 19 October 2026
70
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionwhen traveling to Ghana due to crime, poor health infrastructure, violence against women, and violence against lesbian and gay travelers. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 07 Jul 2026
Full advisory →Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Bawku Municipality FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Bawku Municipal area in the Upper East region of Ghana.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:25:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Ghana: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:34.054319-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk is low to moderate, mainly in poorly lit areas or isolated beaches after dark; visitors rarely targeted but should avoid walking alone at night
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded markets, trotro stations, and beachfronts; keep bags zipped and front-facing in high-traffic zones
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
70/100
Recent visitor reports indicate most feel safe during daytime explorations of Accra, particularly in tourist-friendly districts, though some express concern about night safety and scams.
Yes. Accra is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and road risks require attention.
Accra offers a moderate level of safety for tourists, with violent crime relatively uncommon but petty theft and scams occurring in crowded areas. Visitors report feeling safe during daytime explorations in tourist-friendly districts, though caution is advised at night, especially for women traveling alone. Road safety remains a concern due to high traffic fatality rates.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Accra presents a mixed safety picture for visitors in October 2026. While violent crime against tourists remains relatively uncommon, petty theft and scams are frequent concerns in crowded areas like markets, trotro stations, and beachfronts. Recent incidents in August 2026 highlighted ongoing risks, with Ghana Police foiling alleged bank robberies and making arrests in the city. Visitors generally report feeling safe during daytime explorations, especially in tourist-friendly districts such as the embassy area, Cantonments, and Osu’s main streets, though side roads can become sketchy after dark.
Road safety is a significant concern, with Accra’s transport safety scoring poorly due to high traffic fatality rates and inconsistent road conditions. Travelers should prioritize vetted transport options like registered taxis or rideshares, particularly at night, and avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas or isolated beaches after dark. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are moderate risks in high-traffic zones, so keeping belongings secure and front-facing is essential.
Scams targeting visitors are widespread and varied. The locally known “sakawa” scheme involves online romance or advance-fee fraud, often beginning with overly friendly approaches in tourist areas like Osu Oxford Street or Labadi Beach. Fraudulent apartment listings on platforms like Airbnb in neighborhoods such as Cantonments, Labone, and East Legon also pose risks. Other common scams include no-meter taxi fare games, overcharging in markets, and individuals posing as friendly guides who later demand payment. Staying alert, verifying prices upfront, and never sending money to recent acquaintances are key precautions. Despite these challenges, Accra remains one of West Africa’s safer destinations for those who exercise normal precautions.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Accra districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Accra safety map.
NimaavoidOvercrowded Zongo community with notoriously high crime rates, poor sanitation, and frequent reports of robbery and fraud.
OsucautionPopular nightlife area; petty theft and scams reported after dark, especially near bars and beaches.
LabadicautionBeachfront area; pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded zones, particularly during events.
AdabrakacautionBusy commercial and transport hub; high foot traffic increases pickpocket risk, especially around trotro stations.
JamestowncautionHistoric district with cultural appeal; increased caution advised after dark due to isolated streets and occasional theft.
KotokasaferAirport vicinity with strong security presence; low crime risk for travelers using official transport.
CantonmentssaferAffluent residential and embassy area; well-lit, patrolled, and considered secure day and night.
East LegonsaferUpscale suburb with modern amenities; low incidence of violent crime, popular with expats and visitors.
07 · After Dark
83% of people in Ghana say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Mugging risk is low to moderate, mainly in poorly lit areas or isolated beaches after dark; visitors rarely targeted but should avoid walking alone at night
After dark, be most careful around Nima, Osu, Labadi, Adabraka. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Accra is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and road risks require attention. Accra offers a moderate level of safety for tourists, with violent crime relatively uncommon but petty theft and scams occurring in crowded areas. Visitors report feeling safe during daytime explorations in tourist-friendly districts, though caution is advised at night, especially for women traveling alone. Road safety remains a concern due to high traffic fatality rates. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Accra report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags Nima as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Accra ranks #7 of 7 Ghana destinations we've assessed, scoring 70/100. See the Ghana safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 15+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: accra.json (CC BY 4.0).
