The US Department of State has placed 11 African countries on its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” list because of serious security concerns. Ghana remains at Level 2, where officials advise travelers to use extra caution due to local crime and limited health services.
The US Department of State has issued Level 4 travel advisories for 23 countries, warning American citizens not to visit because of security threats and the government’s limited ability to help them.
The list, published by the Department’s Consular Affairs office, includes 11 African countries classified as Level 4—Do Not Travel.
The African countries are:
- Burkina Faso
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Uganda.
Other countries on the list are:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- North Korea
- Russia
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Yemen.
The Department of State uses four advisory levels to inform American citizens about travel risks. Level 1 means travellers should take normal precautions, while Level 2 recommends extra caution. Level 3 urges travellers to reconsider their plans, and Level 4 is the strongest warning: Do Not Travel.
The Consular Affairs office says Level 4 advisories are based on conditions in the country or the US government’s limited ability to help its citizens there.
Ghana’s travel advisory
Ghana is not among the 23 countries under a Level 4 travel warning. The US Department of State advises Americans to use extra caution when visiting Ghana because of crime, limited medical facilities, violence against women, and violence targeting lesbian and gay travellers.
Ghana is rated Level 2, but the US government has named some places where visitors should reconsider travel.
These areas include the northern border regions of Upper East, North East, and Upper West, as well as parts of the Savannah Region west of the N12 highway. The main concern in these locations is crime.
The advisory points to violent crimes such as carjacking, street robbery, assault, and rape. It also notes that medical services are limited, especially outside Accra, and that people with serious medical emergencies may need to be evacuated.
The US government recommends staying alert, taking care when walking or driving at night, avoiding displays of wealth, and checking that travel insurance includes medical evacuation.
Ghana’s rating means it does not face the broad Level 4 Do Not Travel warning given to the 23 countries. Still, the advisory highlights particular safety and health risks that American visitors should consider before their trip.
