Is Accra safe?
Safe with normal care for a West African capital. Phone snatching, taxi scams and road crashes are the main risks; violent crime against visitors is uncommon.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-07-06.
- Homicide rate in Ghana: 1.8 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Ghana: 25.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 191 · Ambulance 193 · Fire 192 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Accra at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching in crowded markets and traffic, occasional car break-ins, and romance or advance-fee fraud targeting foreigners. |
| At night | Use Bolt or Uber after dark; main Osu and East Legon streets are busy until late but side streets are dark. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable. Expect friendly attention and persistent invitations; watch drinks in bars and use app rides at night. |
| Other risks | Flash floods in the rainy season; Malaria year-round; use repellent; Road crashes and unlit highways at night |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Online 'friends' pitching gold, gems or investments
- Taxi drivers quoting inflated 'obroni' fares
- Fake charity or 'donation' requests at hotels and Osu
Take care
- Makola and Kantamanto markets: pickpockets in dense crowds
- Osu streets late at night: drink spiking and snatch thieves
- Jamestown and Korle Gonno after dark: quiet and poorly lit
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Same-sex relations are criminal; an expanded anti-LGBTQ+ bill has been before parliament since 2024
- Drug offences, including cannabis, are prosecuted
- Photographing military sites, police and government buildings can lead to detention
How Accra compares in Ghana
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Accra | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cape Coast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kumasi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Accra safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable. Expect friendly attention and persistent invitations; watch drinks in bars and use app rides at night.
Is Accra safe at night?
Use Bolt or Uber after dark; main Osu and East Legon streets are busy until late but side streets are dark.
What is the crime rate in Accra?
Phone and bag snatching in crowded markets and traffic, occasional car break-ins, and romance or advance-fee fraud targeting foreigners. Nationally, Ghana records 1.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Accra?
Police 191 · Ambulance 193 · Fire 192 · All emergencies 112.
More about Accra
Going to Accra solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ghana Tourism Authority
- Ghana Airports Company (Kotoka)
- Ghana Health Service
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.