According to the Bureau of Public Safety, violent crimes in the country increased by 40.8 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year.
This was revealed in the annual ‘Ghana Public Safety and Crime Report’ for 2021.
According to the data, related deaths increased by 53.7 percent, which is a record increase from the prior report.
The Greater Accra Region and the Ashanti Region topped the list of regions with the highest crime incidences for the year under review, according to the report.
“The Ashanti Region is the country’s murder capital, accounting for 23% of all homicide cases reported nationwide in 2021.
The Central Region dominated reported aggravated assault cases across the country, accounting for 23% of all reported aggravated assault cases during the time. According to the report, “firearm use in the commission of recorded violent crime has climbed for the third year in a row, increasing by 57.6 percent in Y2021 over Y2020.”
The Bureau of Public Safety has urged for public education “about situational awareness and dangers in transitional zones,” citing data that shows more than 70% of the top three violent crime incidents happened outside the victims’ homes.
It also emphasized the importance of expanding community policies, urging that state-mounted CCTV cameras be installed and footage distributed to the public on a regular basis to raise awareness and serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals.
