Ghana
Summary
Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to:
- Bawku Municipality
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Ghana’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Around 90,000 British nationals visit Ghana every year. While most visits are trouble-free, crime does occur. In recent years, reported crime has increased, particularly over the Christmas period. Criminal activity ranging from petty street crime, to violent crime can occur at any time. The use of weapons is increasing. Take sensible precautions. Be particularly vigilant in public areas, and take care when travelling by road. See Crime
It is mandatory for all foreign nationals resident in Ghana to register with the National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana and get a non-citizen Ghana card. See Local laws and customs
Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice, and can become violent (sometimes involving weapons). You should remain vigilant, avoid any large public gatherings and demonstrations, monitor local media for up-to-date information, and follow the advice of local authorities. See Local travel
Terrorist attacks in Ghana can’t be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. See Terrorism
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Update history
2024-12-11 15:07
Removal of information of temporary closure of all land borders (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-12-06 19:20
Update to regional risks on temporary closure of all land borders (See ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages)
2024-12-05 16:47
Updated information on the political situation ahead of presidential elections on 7 December and update on regional risks in Bawku (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-03-20 11:53
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-03-15 16:59
Information on internet outages (‘Summary’ page).
2024-03-01 16:12
Information on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (‘local laws and customs’ page).
2024-02-26 15:31
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the Bawku Municipality (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-30 11:11
Additional information on security situation in the Bawku Municipality, Upper East region of Ghana (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-02 10:23
Information on security situation in the Bawku Municipality, Upper East region of Ghana (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-26 13:29
Information on avoiding large gatherings or demonstrations during Damba festival in the Bawku Municipality, Upper East region of Ghana (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-13 16:14
Information about local laws and customs specific to LGBT+ persons (‘Local laws and customs’ page).
2023-06-22 11:03
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-14 16:50
Information on removal of COVID-19 requirements (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-03-02 09:40
Updated information on medical facilities and tropical illnesses (‘Health’ page).
2023-01-05 13:31
Updated information on vaccination requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-12-16 13:51
Addition of information that children aged 17 or under are exempt from mandatory vaccination, pre-departure PCR testing and testing on arrival in Ghana. (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-10-07 09:00
Updated information and advice on Marburg virus (‘Health’ page).
2022-08-25 12:43
Updated information and advice on Marburg virus and new information and advice about Monkeypox (‘Health’ page).
2022-07-18 17:04
Addition of information and advice on Marburg virus (‘Health’ page)
2022-06-06 15:45
Addition of information about mandatory quarantine for unvaccinated residents travelling to Ghana (‘Entry requirements’ page); new information about an outbreak of the Hanz virus (‘Health’ page); and updates to ‘Coronavirus’ page.
2022-04-11 10:22
Increased security in the Bawku district, Upper East (‘Safety and security’ page). Updates to ‘Entry Requirements’ page.
2022-03-30 10:14
Update to information on testing requirements for entry (‘Entry requirements’ page). New information on a curfew in Bawku from 8pm to 5am (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-03-28 19:38
Updated information on COVID-19 testing under ‘Entry Requirements’ and information about local security measures in the ‘Safety and Security’ page.
2022-02-17 17:37
Updated information on requirement to be fully vaccinated and changes to quarantine (‘Entry requirements’ page) and information about increased security in Upper East (‘Safety and security’ page)