Ghana

Recommended Vaccinations For Ghana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Meningitis Vaccine

Vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling in Ghana during the dry season, November to March.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Polio Vaccine

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Recommended Medications For Ghana

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Anti-malaria medication is recommended for travellers going to Ghana. Recommended medications are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Ghana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for hepatitis B virus exposure in Ghana.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Ghana.

Cholera

There is a low risk for cholera, but outbreaks of cholera may occur in Ghana.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever may occur in this country.

For Some Travellers

Zika Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Ghana through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Meningitis

Outbreaks of meningitis may occur in Ghana during the dry season (November to March).

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Ghana.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Symptoms include fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If not treated, the disease can cause death.

Lassa Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Lassa fever in this country. The disease is caused through breathing in unsafe air, eating contaminated food with droppings of infected rats.

Polio

There is a risk of acquiring Polio in the country and is transmitted from one person to another when droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected person gets into the mouth of another person.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Ghana. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers 9 months of age and older.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Ghana, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the entire country.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Safety & Security in Ghana

Personal Safety

Crime rates have been climbing since 2021, with violent incidents affecting both locals and foreign nationals. Carjackings, armed robberies and muggings occur with increasing frequency, particularly at night in urban areas like Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. Robberies often involve weapons, and victims who fail to comply face serious assault. Street crime including pickpocketing and bag snatching happens in crowded markets, beaches and tourist attractions. Avoid traveling after dark outside major towns as criminal elements use roadblocks to trap vehicles. Armed attacks have been reported on the Accra-Tema and Accra-Kumasi-Tamale highways. Burglaries targeting affluent areas where foreigners live have increased, with some incidents escalating to kidnappings. Kidnapping for ransom now occurs in Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi, targeting foreign nationals. Criminals sometimes stage minor traffic accidents to make vehicles stop before robbing occupants. If your car is hit, drive to the nearest police station rather than stopping. Beaches pose theft risks and isolated incidents of sexual assault have occurred in tourist areas. Never visit beaches alone. At Kotoka International Airport, luggage and document theft happens occasionally. Only accept help from uniformed staff with photo ID cards. Crime incidents have been reported in all types of taxis including licensed services, tro tros and app-based rides. Check driver ID and vehicle condition before traveling. Travel during daylight hours when possible.

Extreme Violence

Ghana has no record of mass killings since 1945 and recorded zero terrorist activities in 2022. The country ranks 97th out of 166 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.8. However, terrorist groups including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin and Islamic State operate in neighboring Burkina Faso near Ghana’s northern border. JNIM regularly conducts attacks in southern Burkina Faso close to the Ghanaian border. The heightened risk of terrorist attacks exists in northern border areas. Kidnapping risks are higher in the Upper West and Upper East regions where armed bandits target foreign nationals. Between 2019 and mid-2019, about 2,000 migrants fled extremist attacks from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger into Northern Ghana, contributing to an emerging surge in kidnapping and abduction for ransom. While Ghana itself has not been targeted by extremist attacks, inter-communal violence related to the Bawku chieftaincy conflict could create opportunities for violent extremist groups to expand activities across northern borders. Firearms were used in 62.8% of violent crimes from January to June 2022. Ghana has an estimated 2.3 million small arms in circulation, with 1.1 million illegally possessed. The country has maintained security through community engagement, border technology, inter-agency training and intelligence operations.

Political Unrest

Protests and demonstrations occur regularly in Accra and major cities, often in response to economic issues, political concerns or governance failures. In 2023, 161 riot events were recorded, the highest in recent years. While demonstrations are typically peaceful, they can turn violent and confrontational at any time. In September 2024, police detained 54 protesters from the Democracy Hub group demonstrating against illegal mining, leading to widespread public outcry and accusations of heavy-handedness. The government response to protests has been violent in the past. Chieftaincy disputes and political tensions sometimes lead to localized violence and civil unrest. These conflicts most commonly occur in the Upper East, Upper West and Volta regions. In August 2024, tribal conflict broke out in the western Savannah Region near the Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso borders, causing deaths and community displacement. The Bawku chieftaincy conflict continues affecting northern Ghana. Local authorities may impose curfews during times of unrest. Several curfews are currently in place across Ghana. Protests can cause traffic disruptions and restrict movement. Since attacks on the Nasia-Walewale-Bolgatanga and Bolgatanga-Zebilla-Bawku roads, many travelers now arrange police escorts. Leave the area immediately if you encounter demonstrations. Do not attempt to watch or photograph disturbances.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid the Bawku Municipal area in the Upper East region due to violent incidents. Reconsider travel to the Upper East Region, Upper West Region, North East Region and western portion of the Savannah Region (all areas west of the N12 Highway) bordering Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire. These areas face civil unrest, crime and heightened terrorist attack risks. Violent incidents and banditry involving passenger buses have increased in the Upper West and Upper East regions, resulting in injuries and deaths. In January 2025, unidentified gunmen attacked a bus on the Walewale-Bolgatanga highway causing several injuries. The Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions experience flooding during the rainy season from March to November, which can hamper travel and reduce essential services. In Accra, several Greater Accra neighborhoods have seen violent incidents. Avoid these areas at night. Specific roads in Accra pose carjacking risks including Graphic Road, George Walker Bush Highway and roads around Labadi beach. The Tamale-Wa Road and Kintampo-Tamale highway have seen increased robberies. Armed attacks occur on intercity highways after dark. Within 25 km of the border with Burkina Faso, avoid non-essential travel due to inter-communal disputes and terrorist activity.