Ghana · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Accra scores 66/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Accra is generally safe for visitors, but exercise a high degree of caution due to petty crime and occasional unrest. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Ghana · Assessed 18 August 2026
66
/ 100
Safer than ~66% of countries
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-but-essential travel to parts
“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 2026-07-02T13:48:30Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Ghana: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
ModerateIsolated armed muggings have been reported late at night in poorly lit areas of Accra, but such incidents are rare and not targeted at tourists en masse
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are common in busy markets, transport hubs and during large public events
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
67/100
Recent traveler reports describe feeling generally secure during daylight, while nighttime in bustling districts can feel less safe due to petty theft.
Yes — Accra is generally safe for visitors, but exercise a high degree of caution due to petty crime and occasional unrest.
Accra scores 69/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index (July 2026) and is rated safer than ~77% of countries worldwide. Violent crime is low, yet pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are common in crowded markets and transport hubs, and isolated armed muggings have been reported at night in poorly lit neighborhoods. Recent police actions have foiled bank robbery attempts, indicating isolated violent incidents but no widespread threat to tourists.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Accra is one of West Africa’s safest capitals, but the latest safety data makes clear that visitors must stay alert. The composite safety index from IsMyTripSafe (69/100, July 2026) places Accra in the “moderately safe” band, and the World Bank’s crime‑related score of 72/100 confirms that violent crime is low compared with most countries. Homicide rates are modest (1.8 per 100 k) and terrorism has recorded zero deaths in the latest year, yet the U.S. State Department and Canadian advisories have upgraded Ghana to “Exercise Increased Caution” (Level 2) because of rising petty crime and isolated violent incidents.
Recent news from August 2026 shows police foiling multiple bank‑robbery attempts in Accra and arresting a Nigerian suspect linked to a plot against three banks. While these events involve criminal groups rather than tourists, they underscore that opportunistic violent crime can flare in certain parts of the city, especially after dark. Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching remain the most frequent threats, particularly in crowded markets such as Makola, at transport hubs like the bus station, and during large public events. The dossier also highlights scams that specifically target visitors: unlicensed curb‑side taxis at Kotoka International Airport that overcharge or demand extra “fees,” and phone‑tax shakedowns where officials claim a tax must be paid before exiting the terminal.
Travelers’ own accounts, gathered from recent forum posts and travel‑guide sites, describe a generally positive sense of safety during daylight hours, with locals described as welcoming and helpful. However, many note that nighttime in bustling districts such as Osu, Labadi and the Oxford Street corridor can feel less secure, especially for women traveling alone. The sentiment score of 78 reflects this mix of confidence in daytime safety and heightened vigilance after dark.
To stay safe, use only licensed taxis or reputable rideshare apps and pre‑book airport transfers; keep passports, phones and wallets concealed in busy areas; and avoid poorly lit streets or isolated neighborhoods after sunset. Stick to well‑patrolled districts such as Airport Residential Area, Labone, and the diplomatic enclave, and exercise normal precautions when withdrawing cash or using ATMs. By combining the low‑risk profile of Accra’s overall environment with these practical steps, visitors can enjoy the city’s vibrant culture and hospitality while minimizing the modest risks that do exist.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Accra districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Accra safety map.
Nimaavoidnotorious for high crime rates, overcrowding, and documented gang activity
Osucautionbusy nightlife hub with high pickpocketing and scam activity after dark
Adabrakacautionmixed residential zone where daytime activity is fine but nighttime caution needed due to occasional muggings
Temacautionindustrial port city adjacent to Accra with higher petty theft and occasional violent incidents
Labonesaferupscale residential and diplomatic area with strong police presence and low crime
Cantonmentssaferaffluent diplomatic enclave with secure streets and minimal petty crime
Airport Residential Areasafersecure expatriate zone near Kotoka Airport with low crime and good infrastructure
East Legonsaferwell‑guarded upscale neighborhood popular with diplomats and professionals, low crime
07 · After Dark
83% of people in Ghana say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Isolated armed muggings have been reported late at night in poorly lit areas of Accra, but such incidents are rare and not targeted at tourists en masse
After dark, be most careful around Nima, Osu, Adabraka, Tema. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Accra is generally safe for visitors, but exercise a high degree of caution due to petty crime and occasional unrest. Accra scores 69/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index (July 2026) and is rated safer than ~77% of countries worldwide. Violent crime is low, yet pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are common in crowded markets and transport hubs, and isolated armed muggings have been reported at night in poorly lit neighborhoods. Recent police actions have foiled bank robbery attempts, indicating isolated violent incidents but no widespread threat to tourists. (Assessed 18 August 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 #6 of 7 Ghana destinations we've assessed, scoring 66/100. See the Ghana safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ 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.
Browse the Ghana safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: accra.json (CC BY 4.0).
