Accra, Ghana - Travel safety guide

Accra, Ghana

Greater Accra

Overall Safety
Moderate
3.3 / 5
Based on 12 Safety Metrics

Your Personal Safety Guide

Know exactly what YOU should do to stay safe in Accra — based on your personal experience level and travel style.

About Accra

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  • Accra sits on Ghana's Atlantic coast with warm temperatures year-round between 75-88°F (24-31°C). The city spreads from upscale embassy districts to busy markets to beaches that fill up with locals on weekends.
  • English is the official language, which makes getting around easier than in most African cities. You'll also hear Ga and Twi spoken locally. Areas like Osu and Labone have decent cafe and restaurant scenes where eating or working alone doesn't draw attention. Ghanaians are generally friendly, though you'll get plenty of unsolicited attention as a foreign woman.
  • Ghana ranks as one of Africa's safer countries, but Accra requires basic street awareness. Pickpocketing happens in crowded markets and on public transport. Keep your phone out of sight in busy areas and don't wear expensive jewelry. Police emergency is 191, with some English-speaking operators.
  • Use Uber or Bolt instead of street taxis or tro-tros, especially at night. Tro-tros are cheap but have high accident rates and theft issues. Wealthier neighborhoods like Cantonments, Labone, and Airport Residential Area have better lighting and stay active later.
Safety Metrics

Daytime Safety

Good

Night Walking Safety

Moderate

Harassment Risk

High

Transportation

Poor

Pickpocketing Safety

Poor

Scam Safety

Moderate

Police Visibility

Moderate

Emergency Services

Moderate

Evening Venues

Good

Solo Dining

Good

Drug Activity

Moderate

Homelessness Visibility

Moderate

Your Free Personal Accra Safety Guide

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  • ✓ Specific warnings based on YOUR comfort level and travel experience
  • ✓ Where to stay and what areas to avoid — matched to your preferences
  • ✓ Actionable safety tips you can use the moment you arrive
Safe Areas
  • Cantonments
  • Labone
  • Airport Residential Area
  • East Legon
  • Osu (Oxford Street area)
  • Ridge
Areas to Avoid
  • Agbogbloshie
  • Ashaiman
  • Avenor
  • Nima
  • Sowutuom
  • Sukura
  • Jamestown (at night)
  • Labadi Beach (late at night)
Language & Communication

English is the official language and widely spoken in Accra. Local languages like Ga and Twi are common. Police operators at 191 have some English-speaking staff, and emergency services offer English support.

Cultural Tips
  • Cover your shoulders and knees outside tourist areas. Accra is more relaxed than rural Ghana, but short shorts still draw attention. Save beachwear for the beach and avoid crop tops in local neighborhoods, markets, and religious sites.
  • Use your right hand for everything - gestures, eating, waving, handing things to people. Left hand use is considered disrespectful and people take this seriously.
  • Expect constant marriage proposals and romantic attention as a single woman. The culture assumes you're looking for a husband. It's usually harmless but gets tiring. Practice saying no firmly without worrying about being polite.
  • People will touch your arm or hold you during conversations to get your attention. It's normal here, not meant to be invasive. Also, don't wear flip-flops outside your accommodation - Ghanaians see them as house slippers only.
Getting Around
  • Uber and Bolt are the safest way to get around. Your trip is tracked and you can share your location. Watch out for drivers who try to turn off their phone mid-ride to demand extra cash - don't let them.
  • Tro-tros are how most locals travel and they're cheap, but they have high accident rates and maintenance issues. Overcrowding, reckless driving, and no seat belts are normal. Pickpocketing happens frequently. Most visitors skip these.
  • Don't use okadas (motorcycle taxis) - they're illegal in the central business district and poorly regulated. Street taxis are risky, especially at night when foreigners get targeted. Embassies specifically warn about violent robberies in taxis after dark.
  • If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.
  • For peace of mind on arrival, book your airport pickup in advance.
Tours & Activities

Explore Accra with local guides and curated experiences.

Still Have Questions?

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Quick Facts
Currency
Ghanaian Cedi (GHS or ₵)
Time Zone
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+0)
Region
Greater Accra
Emergency Contacts
Police Emergency:191
Police (Alternative):18555
Ambulance:112
Fire Service:192
US Embassy:+233 (0) 30 274 1000
British High Commission:Contact via online form
DOVVSU (Domestic Violence Unit):Contact through local police stations
Travel Insurance
  • Protect yourself against unexpected medical emergencies and trip disruptions in Accra.
  • For shorter trips, VisitorsCoverage is a good option.
  • For long-term travel or remote work, we recommend Ekta.
Best Time to Visit
  • November to March is the dry season with less rain and temperatures around 75-88°F (24-31°C). Most comfortable for walking around.
  • July to October has decent weather with occasional rain. Fewer tourists in September and October, and costs are lower.
  • April to June brings heavy rain that can flood roads and disrupt plans. The humidity makes the heat harder to deal with.
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Safe Accommodations in Accra

Carefully vetted accommodations trusted by solo female travelers, with female-friendly features and safety amenities.

African Vibrations Hostel Osu
Osu|GHS ₵150-300

Safety Features

  • Female-only dormitory options
  • En-suite bathrooms with hot water in all rooms
  • Free lockers in every room
  • 24-hour reception
  • Power and water backup systems

Walking Distance

oxford street:2 minutes
labadi beach:10 minutes drive
makola market:15 minutes drive

Highlights

  • New hostel just off Oxford Street in Osu
  • Two 10-bed air-conditioned dorms - one for women, one for men
  • Bar and restaurant on-site
  • Right in Accra's main nightlife area

Social Atmosphere

High - party hostel on Oxford Street with easy access to bars and clubs

Somewhere Nice Hostel
Accra Central|USD $6-12

Safety Features

  • Female dormitory options
  • Friendly and amenable atmosphere
  • Secure building access
  • Reception and security staff

Walking Distance

local restaurants:5 minutes
osu:15 minutes drive

Highlights

  • Environmentally friendly hostel
  • Good reviews from solo travelers
  • Pool and free breakfast
  • Lively neighborhood location

Social Atmosphere

Medium - backpacker hostel, easy to meet other travelers

The Accra Backpackers Hostel
Accra|USD $12-25

Safety Features

  • Female-only dormitory options
  • Secure building with lockers
  • 24-hour reception
  • Safe neighborhood location

Walking Distance

local amenities:Walking distance
restaurants:Nearby

Highlights

  • Female dorm options
  • Pool
  • Free breakfast
  • Friendly atmosphere

Social Atmosphere

Medium - social hostel with pool area, good for meeting other travelers

More Hostels Nearby

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Neighborhoods in Accra

Explore the different areas of Accra and find the perfect neighborhood for your stay.

Showing 6 of 6 neighborhoods

Osu

4.0
Accra, Ghana
Night Walking SafetyModerate
Daytime SafetyGood
Harassment RiskModerate
Transport SafetyModerate
Main nightlife areaInternational crowd24-hour activity+2

Osu centers on Oxford Street with Accra's main nightlife and most diverse restaurant scene. Busy international crowd makes eating and going out alone feel normal. Safe on the main street, but side roads get sketchy at night.

34

Labone

4.0
Accra, Ghana
Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyModerate
Food hubQuiet and upscaleFine dining scene+2

Labone sits between Cantonments and Osu as Accra's fine dining area. Safe, upscale, good for food. Less nightlife than Osu but strong restaurant scene.

37

Cantonments

5.0
Accra, Ghana
Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyGood
Diplomatic districtVery safe and secureQuiet residential area+2

The embassy district with top security due to diplomatic presence. Very safe but sterile with limited character. Good base for staying, but you'll explore other areas for activities.

13

East Legon

4.0
Accra, Ghana
Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyGood
Harassment RiskModerate
Transport SafetyModerate
Wealthy suburbModern and trendyActive nightlife+2

Accra's wealthy suburb with modern amenities and international restaurants. Safe and comfortable but everything's expensive and downtown is far. Good if you want Western-style comfort.

28

Airport Residential Area

4.0
Accra, Ghana
Night Walking SafetyModerate
Daytime SafetyGood
Harassment RiskModerate
Transport SafetyModerate
Luxury business districtNear airportHigh-end dining+2

Luxury area near the airport with high-end dining and embassies. Safe during the day but dangerous at night after 10pm. Best for business travelers wanting convenience and upscale amenities.

16

Jamestown

2.0
Accra, Ghana
Night Walking SafetyPoor
Daytime SafetyModerate
Harassment RiskHigh
Transport SafetyPoor
Historic coastal areaTraditional Ga communityFishing neighborhood+2

Historic coastal area with Ga culture and old colonial buildings. Only visit during the day with a Ga-speaking guide. Don't explore alone or take photos without a guide. Not for independent exploration.

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