The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament has called on the John Dramani Mahama administration to take urgent and decisive steps in response to a damning U.S. travel advisory that has placed Ghana under Level 2 risk, warning American citizens to exercise increased caution due to rising crime and weak law enforcement.
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 24, the Minority expressed grave concern over the advisory, which cited violent crimes, underreporting of serious offences like sexual assault, and general lawlessness as reasons behind the alert.
The advisory also flagged the presence of civil unrest and organised crime, classifying Ghana under risk indicators “C” (Crime), “U” (Unrest), and “O” (Other).
“This development is a serious indictment of Ghana’s longstanding reputation as one of Africa’s safest, most stable, and well-governed nations,” the statement said.
Ghana has historically been hailed as a beacon of democracy and peace in Africa, consistently praised for its security and governance.
However, the Minority noted that recent events, particularly post-election violence involving known political actors who remain unpunished, have played a major role in damaging this reputation.
The Caucus warned that the downgrade is not accidental but rather a direct result of the government’s failure to ensure security, uphold the rule of law, and clamp down on impunity.
It cited the administration’s “scandalous silence and inaction” on major security scandals, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and illicit financial flows, which have further stained Ghana’s global image.
Adding to the country’s deteriorating security situation is the ongoing violence in Bawku. The Minority highlighted killings, indiscriminate shootings, and destruction of property in the region, incidents that have earned Bawku a Level 3 risk classification by the U.S., just one level below crisis-hit nations like Mali and Burkina Faso.
They further urged the administration to work collaboratively with security agencies, diplomatic partners, and civil society to reverse the trend and safeguard Ghana’s long-established reputation as a safe and democratic country.
