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GhanaAsylum & protectionLast checked October 30, 2026

Application for refugee status

Ghana Refugee Board, Refugee Law 1992, PNDCL 305D · Official name: Recognition as a refugee - Ghana Refugee Board

Ghana has its own refugee status system. Under the Refugee Law 1992 (PNDCL 305D), a person in Ghana who wants to stay as a refugee must apply within 14 days of entering Ghana (or a longer period the Board allows), through an immigration officer, a police officer or UNHCR's office in Ghana. The application is forwarded to the Ghana Refugee Board, which considers it, may interview the applicant, and decides in writing. Refused applicants can appeal in writing to the Minister within 30 days. Applicants may stay in Ghana while awaiting a decision.

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Life in Ghana

Finance

3

Currency

Ghanaian Cedi

GHS

Ghanaian Cedi

Cost of living

42

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

5–35%

Income tax (national)

VAT 15%

35% applies to chargeable income above GHS 600,000 per year (GHS 50,000 per month).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

4.6

#113 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Who it’s for

People in Ghana who fear persecution, or serious disruption of public order, in their own country.

Eligibility

  • Refugee definitionApplicant

    1969 OAU
    its 1967 Protocol and the

    The Law gives effect to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, its 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention: fear of persecution for race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, or threats from external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disrupting public order.

  • Apply within 14 daysApplicant

    Apply within 14 days of entering Ghana, or within a longer period if the Board allows it.

    14 days

    Time to apply

    • Applies whether entry into Ghana was lawful or unlawful
    Official wording

    The application must be made within 14 days of entry into Ghana, or a further period the Board allows, whether entry was lawful or unlawful.

  • Exclusions

    Protection against return does not apply to a person who is a danger to Ghana's security, committed a serious non-political crime outside Ghana before entry, or, after conviction for a serious crime in Ghana, is a real danger to the public.

SourceRefugee Lawgrb.gov.ghChecked Oct 30, 2026

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Official sources

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