Ghana: crime and justice

What is the homicide rate in Ghana?

Ghana's homicide rate was 1.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, according to the World Bank, using data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It was 1.9 in 2021 and 1.7 in 2020.

The UNODC figures are based on police records of intentional killings and allow comparison across countries. National crime statistics are compiled by the Ghana Police Service, which is overseen by the Ministry of the Interior.

Official sources: World Bank: intentional homicides, Ghana (UNODC) · Ministry of the Interior

How many criminal cases are prosecuted in Ghana?

Ghana's Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice received 2,001 prosecution dockets from investigative bodies and started 1,520 prosecutions nationwide in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's 2026 Budget Statement. It managed 64 appeals and disposed of 1,900 motions out of 2,205 received. Of 810 petitions on criminal cases received, 630 were resolved.

The figures cover cases handled by the Attorney-General's office, which prosecutes serious offences. The 2025 figures were reported in the budget presented in November 2025. Court caseload statistics are published by the Judicial Service.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: 2026 Budget Statement · Judicial Service of Ghana

How much money has EOCO recovered in Ghana?

Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) handled 380 cases in 2025 and recovered GH₵155.66 million, according to the Ministry of Finance's 2026 Budget Statement. Of this, GH₵13 million was recovered directly and GH₵142.66 million indirectly. EOCO also ran 32 nationwide sensitisation campaigns on cybercrime, gaming fraud, trafficking and irregular migration, and helped dismantle carjacking syndicates, recovering 29 luxury vehicles. In 2026 it plans to investigate about 450 cases.

EOCO investigates financial and economic crimes such as fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. Recoveries depend on court orders and settlements, so they can vary a great deal from year to year. The EOCO website publishes its news and reports.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: 2026 Budget Statement · Economic and Organised Crime Office

How many illegal guns are seized in Ghana?

Ghana's National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons seized 1,278 illicit weapons in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's 2026 Budget Statement. The Commission also reached 18,000 students and artisans through sensitisation campaigns. In 2026 it plans to run an Arms for Development Programme in Yendi.

Seizure counts reflect enforcement activity as well as the number of weapons in circulation, so a rise can mean more operations rather than more guns. The Commission works with the Ghana Police Service and the Armed Forces under the Ministry of the Interior.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: 2026 Budget Statement · Ministry of the Interior

How much drugs are seized in Ghana?

Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission seized 948kg of narcotics worth US$3.77 million in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's 2026 Budget Statement. The Commission carried out 2,727 vessel inspections and made 70 arrests.

The figures cover the Commission's own operations; seizures by the police and customs are reported separately. Seizure totals rise and fall with individual large finds, so one year's figure says little about trends in drug use or trafficking. The Commission is overseen by the Ministry of the Interior.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: 2026 Budget Statement · Ministry of the Interior

What is the homicide rate in Ghana?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2022, is 1.8 per 100,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 2.1 per 100,000; its low point was 2011, at 1.6 per 100,000. It is 8th highest of 8 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 6.8 per 100,000. Worldwide: 52nd of 99.

What is the female homicide rate in Ghana?

In 2022, the homicide rate for women in Ghana was 1.0 per 100,000, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. It is 6th highest of 6 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.5 per 100,000. Of 94 countries with 2022 data, 53rd highest.

How many men are murdered in Ghana?

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the homicide rate for men in Ghana was 2.7 per 100,000 in 2022. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 9.4 per 100,000; Ghana is 6th highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 51st of 93.