Is Kumasi safe?
Welcoming and safe with normal care. Crowds at Kejetia attract pickpockets, and traffic and road crashes are the main risks.
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 Kumasi at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing and bag snatching in markets and trotro stations, occasional phone theft, and some car break-ins. |
| At night | Adum stays busy until about 21:00 and then quiets. Use Bolt or Uber after dark. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable. Expect friendly attention and unsolicited offers; dress modestly and use app taxis at night. |
| Other risks | Road crashes and congested traffic; Malaria; use repellent; Heavy rain floods low-lying streets |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake guides at the market charging high fees
- Online friendships leading to investment or gold deals
- Taxi drivers quoting inflated fares to foreigners
Take care
- Kejetia Market: dense crowds, pickpockets
- Poorly lit roads at night away from main streets
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 Kumasi 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 Kumasi safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable. Expect friendly attention and unsolicited offers; dress modestly and use app taxis at night.
Is Kumasi safe at night?
Adum stays busy until about 21:00 and then quiets. Use Bolt or Uber after dark.
What is the crime rate in Kumasi?
Pickpocketing and bag snatching in markets and trotro stations, occasional phone theft, and some car break-ins. Nationally, Ghana records 1.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Kumasi?
Police 191 · Ambulance 193 · Fire 192 · All emergencies 112.
More about Kumasi
Going to Kumasi solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ghana Tourism Authority
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
- 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.