Risk Levels and Key Points
Risk Levels
• Border areas with Burkina Faso, as well as certain border areas with Togo and Côte d’Ivoire
Level 2: Avoid non-essential travel. (Status unchanged)
• Upper East Region (excluding border areas with Burkina Faso and Togo)
Level 2: Avoid non-essential travel. (Upgraded)
• Other areas
Level 1: Exercise caution. (Status unchanged)
Key Points
• Frequent terrorist attacks by Islamic extremist groups have been occurring in neighboring countries of Ghana. The threat of terrorism is spreading to border areas with Burkina Faso, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire, so Level 2 warnings remain in place.
• In some northern regions, inter-tribal conflicts have intensified, resulting in casualties from armed clashes. In December 2023, ethnic group clashes in Bawku in the Upper East Region also spread to the state capital, Bolgatanga. The groups involved support specific political parties, and security conditions may worsen in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 2024.
• In urban areas like the capital, Accra, and Kumasi, frequent robberies and thefts continue to be a concern, exacerbated by the deteriorating economic situation. Foreigners have been victims of kidnappings as well, with incidents reported in 2019.
1. Overview
(1) Terrorist attacks by Islamic extremist groups are frequent in neighboring countries of Ghana, particularly in Burkina Faso, where the security situation has deteriorated rapidly. The threat of terrorism is also spreading to the border areas with Burkina Faso, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. Additionally, due to Ghana’s involvement in military operations in countries where Islamic extremists are active, such as Mali, Ghana could become a target for retaliation by these groups or international terrorist organizations.
(2) In the Northern Region and surrounding areas, there have been armed clashes resulting in casualties due to disputes over chieftaincy and conflicts between tribal and political party supporters. Nighttime curfews have been imposed in some areas. Additionally, economic hardship, driven by high prices, has fueled public discontent, raising the possibility of larger-scale conflicts triggered by minor incidents. In particular, the ethnic conflict that erupted in Bawku in the Upper East Region in December 2023 has spread to Bolgatanga, the regional capital. The parties involved support specific political groups, and there is a possibility of worsening security conditions in the lead-up to the December 2024 elections.
(3) In urban areas like Accra and Kumasi, incidents of robbery, vandalism, home invasions, fraud, and assaults targeting foreigners occur frequently. Past incidents of kidnapping involving foreigners have also been reported. Armed robberies on main highways during nighttime hours have also been documented.
(4) While there have been no terrorist attacks directly targeting Japanese citizens or interests in Ghana, the frequent terrorist incidents in neighboring countries by Islamic extremists indicate that the possibility of terrorism within Ghana cannot be ruled out. Stay informed about the latest security information via government websites, news, and other sources, and take appropriate safety measures to avoid involvement in terrorist or kidnapping incidents.
2. Regional Situation
(1) Border areas with Burkina Faso, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire
Level 2: Avoid non-essential travel. (Status unchanged)
Due to the frequent terrorist attacks by Islamic extremist groups in Burkina Faso and the deteriorating security situation, terrorist incidents have also occurred near the border with Ghana. Border security is not fully reliable, and there is a possibility that terrorists may enter Ghana. Therefore, non-essential travel to these areas should be avoided. If travel is unavoidable, take special precautions and implement thorough safety measures.
(2) Upper East Region (excluding border areas with Burkina Faso and Togo)
Level 2: Avoid non-essential travel. (Upgraded)
The ethnic conflict that erupted in Bawku in the Upper East Region in December 2023 has spread to the regional capital, Bolgatanga. The parties involved support specific political parties, and with the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 2024, security conditions may deteriorate further. For this reason, the risk level for this region has been raised from 1 to 2. Non-essential travel to these areas should be avoided. If travel is unavoidable, take special precautions and implement thorough safety measures.
(3) Other Areas
Level 1: Exercise caution. (Status unchanged)
In the Northern, North East, Savannah, Bono, and Oti regions, armed clashes resulting in casualties have occurred due to disputes over chieftaincy and conflicts between tribal and political party supporters. Nighttime curfews have been imposed in some areas. Additionally, economic hardship has led to growing public discontent, raising the possibility of larger conflicts erupting from minor incidents.
In Accra and other cities, there have been frequent cases of robbery, attempted robbery, vandalism, home invasions, fraud, and assaults targeting foreigners. In Kumasi, two kidnapping incidents involving foreigners occurred in 2019. Armed robberies have also been reported on major highways, such as between Accra and Tema.
Curfew Areas:
Bimbilla, Patenga, and Saboba (Northern Region), Bolgatanga and Bawku (Upper East Region), Bunkpurugu and Chereponi (North East Region), Bomaa (Ahafo Region), Jaman South Municipality (Bono Region), Alavanyo, Nkonya, and Nkwanta (Oti Region)
If you plan to travel to or stay in these areas, please stay informed through the Embassy of Japan in Ghana, local authorities, and media reports, and exercise extreme caution regarding your personal safety.
3. Precautions During Your Stay
While staying in Ghana, remain vigilant and avoid taking unnecessary risks. Obtain the latest information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Ghana, local authorities, and media sources. If you are involved in any incident or accident, please contact the Embassy of Japan in Ghana immediately.
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