Ghana – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for GHANA due to COVID-19, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the country. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Ghana.

Exercise increased caution in:

• Urban areas due to crime.
• Intercity highways after dark due to crime.
• Areas near the northern border in the Upper East and Upper West regions due to crime.
• Parts of the Bono East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, North East, and Upper East regions due to civil unrest.
• Read the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Ghana:

• See the U.S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
• Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Ghana.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Urban Areas – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime, such as street mugging, is more frequent in urban areas as compared to their surrounding suburbs.  These crimes are also more prevalent at night and in isolated locations.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.  Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to more serious crimes.  

Intercity Highways After Dark – Exercise Increased Caution

Armed assaults on private vehicles and public transports occur more frequently after dark, often by criminal elements using blockades to slow down and restrict movement of vehicles.  

Areas Near the Northern Border in the Upper East and Upper West Regions – Exercise Increased Caution

U.S. citizens traveling in Ghana should exercise caution while visiting border areas, in particular the northern border, and be sure to stay abreast of any regional Travel Advisory updates or Security Alerts affecting those areas.  

Parts of the Bono East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, North East, and Upper East Regions – Exercise Increased Caution

Civil unrest due to tribal disputes can occur at any time.  While such disputes are typically non-violent, the likelihood for violence developing from a tribal dispute is greater in parts of these regions.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Last Update:  Reissued with CDC’s recent de-escalation of its COVID-19 Travel Health Notice for Ghana to Level 3 from Level 4.