Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Crime in Ghana - statistics & facts
Crime in Ghana is at a moderate level, and it is reported that guns are most often used to engage in criminal activities within the country. Between January and June 2022, 180 crime cases were reported, peaking in the month of January. Also, corruption is one of the major issues facing the nation, with some Ghanaians paying bribes to receive public services. Generally, many Ghanaians think that the police, mandated to enforce national laws, is the most corrupt.
Another area of crime identified in the country is human trafficking. In 2018, there were 331 victims of trafficking. More than 40 people were prosecuted for trafficking that year.
In order to protect women's rights in the country, the 1992 Constitution of Ghana frowns upon female genital mutilation (FGM). However, in a survey report, more than 60 percent of the population aged between 15 and 49 years stated that they had had their flesh removed as they underwent FGM. Overall, although women and children in Ghana represent a vulnerable population group and would therefore expect to be protected, they are oftentimes the main victims of crime.
Women and children affected by crime
Child marriage is abolished by Ghanaian laws, which set the minimum age of marriage at 18 years. In spite of this, as of 2018, 1.6 percent of men and 6.2 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 years had been given into marriage before they reached their 15th birthday. In the same way, child labor is legally unacceptable in Ghana. However, 29 percent of children aged 15 to 17 years were exposed to hazardous working conditions in 2018, while nine percent were given household chores for 28 hours or more.In order to protect women's rights in the country, the 1992 Constitution of Ghana frowns upon female genital mutilation (FGM). However, in a survey report, more than 60 percent of the population aged between 15 and 49 years stated that they had had their flesh removed as they underwent FGM. Overall, although women and children in Ghana represent a vulnerable population group and would therefore expect to be protected, they are oftentimes the main victims of crime.
Prison system
The Ghana Prisons Service is responsible for keeping prisoners in safe custody as they serve their time in jail. In the first half of 2022, 249 police arrests were registered. Following arrests and judicial prosecutions, individuals found guilty of criminal acts are kept in prisons across the country. As of 2020, Ghana had a prison population of nearly 13.3 thousand. This slightly decreased the prison population rate to 46 per 100,000 inhabitants that year. Overall, more than 1.6 thousand prisoners in Ghana were awaiting trial as of February 2024.
