Ghana's trade in fake goods is becoming a bigger problem, with the country scoring 5.5 out of 10 in the 2025 Global Organized Crime Index, up 0.5 points from the previous edition.
The report, compiled by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime and the ENACT project, warns that counterfeit products are widely sold in Ghana, raising concerns about consumer safety, public health and the loss of business for legitimate traders.
The report names two markets in Accra where counterfeit goods are commonly traded. Makola Market is named for fake textiles, while Abossey Okai is linked to counterfeit vehicle spare parts.
It also estimates that most electrical products sold in Accra are counterfeit and fail to meet safety standards. Fake medicines remain another long-standing concern, putting patients at risk.
Many of these counterfeit products are produced in factories in China and enter West African countries, including Ghana, through the Port of Tema, the report says. It also points to illegal trade in tobacco and alcohol, with high excise taxes encouraging smuggling. Porous borders and corruption are identified as factors that allow these illegal markets to operate.
Ghana ranked 68th out of 193 countries worldwide for overall organised criminality. Within Africa, it placed 21st out of 54 countries, and 6th out of 15 countries in West Africa.
Its overall criminality score stood at 5.77 out of 10, slightly lower than the previous edition. The rising counterfeit-goods score suggests that fake products remain a growing threat to Ghana's markets and consumers.
Sources: Global Organized Crime Index 2025, Ghana profile; Organized Crime Index, Ghana; MyJoyOnline.