General Safety
CRIME
Most visits to Ghana are trouble free, but incidents of petty and violent crime do occur. Avoid carrying large sums of money or valuables, use a hotel safe whenever possible and be particularly vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs.
Take care at public beaches and avoid going to the beach on your own. Theft is the main problem, but there have been isolated incidents of sexual assault.
Theft of luggage and travel documents occurs at Kotoka International Airport and in hotels. Make sure your passport is secure at all times and don’t leave baggage unattended. Be wary of offers of help at the airport unless from uniformed porters or officials. All permanent staff at the airport wear an ID card showing their name and a photo. ID cards without a photo are not valid. If you are being collected at the airport, confirm the identity of your driver by asking for ID. Foreign nationals have been robbed by impostors who have approached them before the main arrivals area pretending to be their driver.
There has been an increase in violent robbery in 2013. If you’re unlucky enough to be caught up in an armed robbery, you should immediately comply with the attackers’ demands. Those who have suffered injury or worse during such attacks have been perceived as not complying fully or quickly enough. The vast majority of those who endure such attacks, and follow this advice, do so without lasting physical harm.
Most armed robberies occur at night though some incidences have happened during daytime. Be vigilant and drive with doors locked.
LOCAL TRAVEL
As a result of occasional local Chieftancy and land disputes, isolated inter-ethnic violence and civil unrest can occur at any time including in the Northern, Upper East and Volta Regions.
If you are considering travel to the Northern Region, remain alert to the potential for new outbreaks of fighting. Keep in touch with daily developments through the local media.
Flooding is common in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions during the rainy season (March to November). You should monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.
ROAD TRAVEL
You can drive in Ghana using an International Driving Permit. An EU driving licence is not valid. You should carry your driving licence at all times when driving.
Roads are mainly in a poor condition, particularly in rural areas. Street lighting is poor or non-existent. Avoid travelling by road outside the main towns after dark, when the risk of accidents and robbery is greater. Grass or leaves strewn in the road often means an accident or other hazard ahead.
Safety standards on small private buses, known as ‘Tro-Tros’ and taxis are often low. Don’t use ‘Tro-Tros’ outside the major towns and cities. Avoid travelling alone in taxis after dark.
SWIMMING
Swimming is dangerous on the beaches along the southern coast of Ghana due to rip tides and undertows. Caution is advised.
Source: gov.uk - Official UK government travel advice