{"threatLevel": "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution", "description": "<p>Updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers.</p>\n<p>Exercise increased caution in Ghana due to <b>crime</b> and <b>violence against members of the LGBTQI+ community</b>. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.</p>\n<p>Exercise increased caution in:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Parts of the Bono East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, North East, and Upper East regions due to <b>civil unrest.</b></li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>Country summary:&nbsp;</b>Violent crimes, such as carjacking and street mugging, do occur. These crimes often happen at night and in isolated locations. Exercise increased caution specifically due to crime:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>In urban areas and crowded markets</li>\n<li>When traveling by private or public transportation after dark as criminal elements may use blockades to slow down and restrict movement of vehicles</li>\n<li>In areas near the northern border in the Upper East and Upper West regions</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to more serious crimes.</p>\n<p><b>LGBTQI+ Travelers:</b> Ghanaian law contains prohibitions on &#8220;unlawful carnal knowledge&#8221; &#8211; generally interpreted as any kind of sexual intimacy &#8211; between persons of the same sex. Punishments can include fines and/or incarceration. Anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years. Members of the LGBTQI+ community have reported safety incidents that include targeted assault, rape, mob attacks, and harassment due to their identity.</p>\n<p>Read the <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ghana.html\">country information page</a> for additional information on travel to Ghana.</p>\n<p>If you decide to travel to Ghana:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>See our <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/lgbtqi.html\">LGBTQI+ Travel Information page</a> and section 6 of our <a href=\"https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ghana\">Human Rights Report</a> for further details.</li>\n<li>Enroll in the <a href=\"https://step.state.gov/step/\">Smart Traveler Enrollment Program</a> (<a href=\"https://step.state.gov/step/\">STEP</a>) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.</li>\n<li>Follow the Department of State on <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ghana-travel-advisory.html#ExternalPopup\">Facebook</a> and <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ghana-travel-advisory.html#ExternalPopup\">Twitter</a>.</li>\n<li>Review the <a href=\"https://www.osac.gov/Content/Browse/Report?subContentTypes=Country%20Security%20Report\">Country Security Report</a> for Ghana.</li>\n<li>Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/checklist.html\">Traveler&#8217;s Checklist</a>.</li>\n<li>Visit the CDC page for the latest <a href=\"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list\">Travel Health Information</a> related to your travel.</li>\n</ul>\n<p><b>Areas Near the Northern Border in the Upper East and Upper West Regions &#8211; Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution</b></p>\n<p>U.S. citizens traveling in Ghana should exercise caution while visiting border areas, in particular the northern border, and be sure to read <a href=\"https://gh.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/\">Security Alerts</a> affecting those areas. Due to security concerns over criminal activity in remote areas, travel of U.S. government personnel to the northern and northwestern border is currently limited.</p>\n<p>Visit our website for <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/TraveltoHighRiskAreas.html\">Travel to High-Risk Areas</a>.</p>", "pubDate": "Mon, 20 Nov 2023", "country": "Ghana"}