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Hey ingrate -

https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21767

Ghana 2017 Crime & Safety Report
Travel Health and Safety; Transportation Security; Terrorism; Political Violence; Financial Security; Crime; Cyber
Africa > Ghana; Africa > Ghana > Accra
5/1/2017

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

U.S. Embassy Accra does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The ACS Unit cannot recommend a particular individual or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ASSESSED ACCRA AS BEING A HIGH-THREAT LOCATION FOR CRIME DIRECTED AT OR AFFECTING OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERESTS.

Please review OSAC’s Ghana-specific webpage for proprietary analytic reports, Consular Messages, and contact information.

The Republic of Ghana is a developing country in West Africa. It is composed of 10 regions and the capital, Accra. Tourism can be found in most of the regions, but the infrastructure is lacking. Despite a short era of economic growth between 2000 and 2009, the country remains vulnerable to external economic pressures.

Crime Threats

Street crime is a serious problem and is especially acute in Accra and other larger cities. Pickpockets and thieves often carry out crimes of opportunity (snatch-and-grab attacks) on city streets in crowded areas and from vehicles idling in traffic. Thefts from vehicles are very common. Vehicles should be parked in well-illuminated areas. The potential for carjacking exists in Ghana, but there were no reported occurrences in 2016. Visitors are advised not to carry expensive valuables but rather to store them in a hotel safety deposit boxes or room safes; however, hotel safes can be accessed by hotel personnel even when locked. Walking alone is not advisable, especially at night or in poorly illuminated areas.

There have been burglary attempts against expatriate residences, but perpetrators generally lack the sophistication to overcome home alarm systems and static security guards.

Vehicle theft is a major concern, and stolen vehicles are shipped from overseas to Ghana for resale.

In recent years, U.S. citizens have reported substantial financial losses from questionable transactions allegedly involving gold and other precious metals. The government of Ghana maintains strict regulations on natural resources. All agents must be licensed, and all transactions must be certified.

Cybersecurity Issues

Credit/debit card fraud is a concern, as credit card fraud and related scams are common. Skimming is the primary means of credit fraud and is undetectable until fraudulent charges appear on statements. It is very common for credit card terminals to be tampered with. If you choose to use a credit card, RSO recommends that you monitor your credit card activity closely.

Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including Americans. American citizens frequently consult the Embassy regarding questionable business offers sent from Ghana. These scams typically begin with an unsolicited communication (usually by e-mail) from an unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain, often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or valuables out of the country. A series of “advance fees” (fees to open a bank account, to pay certain taxes) must be paid in order to conclude the transaction. In fact, the final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scams is simply to collect money from the victim. The Embassy has received reports of fraudulent charities soliciting contributions through the Internet or direct mail. If you receive such offers or requests, carefully check them out before you commit any funds, provide any goods/services, or undertake any travel.

There are also multiple variations of dating fraud perpetrated by English-speaking Ghanaians who target Westerners through various dating websites. They utilize fake social media profiles, steal photos/identities from other social media accounts, and swindle victims out of thousands of dollars. The perpetrators typically ask for money for hospital expenses, travel expenses, visa costs, or expensive gifts. A common ploy is for a perpetrator to claim he is a member of the military on a secret mission in Accra whose government has abandoned him. The perpetrator will ask for a laptop computer, expensive cellphone, or some other “necessity.” Many of these operations link back to local Internet cafes; some have reputations based on the type of fraud perpetrated from there.

Other Areas of Concern

The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has labelled certain areas as “flashpoints” because of the amount of crime in the area, the lack of police presence in the area, and factors in the area that make it dangerous for everyone, including the police. Travelers should exercise caution in the flashpoint areas and in crowded areas.

Travelers should also exercise caution in the Jamestown area of Accra, which is a large area of historical importance where the police have lost control in the past and must dedicate extra resources to prevent spontaneous flare-ups of violence.

There are occasional reports of clashes between government forces and criminal groups; however, foreigners are normally not affected.