The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory warning U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution when traveling to Ghana, particularly in the Upper East, North East, Upper West, and western Savannah Regions. The advisory cites civil unrest and crime as the primary concerns, with incidents of carjackings, muggings, assaults, and sexual violence on the rise.
According to the advisory, these regions have experienced an increase in violent crimes, which often occur at night and in isolated locations. The U.S. government has also received reports of sexual assault, including rape, which remains a serious problem in Ghana.
The advisory specifically highlights the western portion of the Savannah Region, which shares a border with Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, as an area of increased risk due to civil unrest and crime. U.S. citizens are advised to reconsider travel to these regions unless absolutely necessary.
The U.S. Department of State has assigned Ghana a Level 2 travel advisory, indicating that U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution when traveling to the country. The advisory also notes that domestic violence is a criminal offense under Ghanaian law, but police rarely respond to reports of domestic violence.
U.S. citizens traveling to Ghana are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. This includes avoiding traveling alone at night, using reputable transportation services, and being aware of their surroundings at all times.
The U.S. Embassy in Accra has also provided additional guidance for U.S. citizens traveling to Ghana, including registering with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important safety and security updates.
In light of this advisory, U.S. citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling to Ghana’s high-risk regions and to stay informed about local conditions through the U.S. Department of State’s website and social media channels.