If Ghana Was a Foreign Country, You’d Be in Jail for These 9 Things

There are some things we do in Ghana without even thinking twice; habits, customs, or ways of life that just feel normal. But step outside the country, and you might be shocked to learn that some of these everyday things are actually illegal in other places. Yes, illegal. From riding a motorbike without a helmet to openly disciplining children in public, these actions could get you fined or even arrested in other countries. But here in Ghana? It’s just life. Let’s take a look at a few things that are totally legal here but banned elsewhere.

1. Littering Like It’s a Lifestyle

In Ghana, let’s be honest. People throw sachet water bags, toffee wrappers, banana peels, and just about anything out of trotro windows without blinking. If someone drops rubbish on the street, all they get is a stare (if even that). But in countries like Singapore, the story is different. Drop a chewing gum wrapper, and you’re slapped with a fine of up to S$1,000 for a first offense. The second offense is $2,000. It’s that serious. Public cleanliness is enforced like national pride. Meanwhile here, we’ll turn around and ask “Why is it flooding?” when our gutters are choked with takeaway packs.

2. Using Your Phone While Driving

In Ghana, we act like being behind the wheel is the perfect time to return missed calls, reply WhatsApp messages, or scroll TikTok at red lights. You’ll even see someone steering with one hand and texting with the other. In the UK or Canada, you’d be fined instantly. It’s considered distracted driving, and it’s not taken lightly. Some countries can even suspend your driver’s license for it. But here, the only person who will shout at you is another driver who’s trying to overtake you.

3. Public Urination

Let’s not pretend. You’ve probably seen someone; man, woman, or child just turn to the wall or bush and go, like it’s a birthright. No shame, no problem. In Germany or Japan, you could be charged with public indecency, especially in populated areas. In the US, it can go as far as getting registered as a sex offender depending on the circumstances. Here, you might even get directions:
"Go behind that kiosk, there’s a corner there."

4. Noise Pollution That Starts at 4 AM

Church crusade? Political speaker van? Funeral announcement truck? Full-blast loudspeakers in residential areas? In Ghana, it’s “normal.” You just get used to it or you buy earplugs. Today on TikTok, I saw one Ghanaian comment about how noise pollution should not be romanticised and he was immediately shut down by another Ghanaian.

But in places like France or Australia, excessive noise at odd hours is strictly controlled. Even churches must keep within certain decibel levels, and the police can be called if it’s too much.

5. Burning rubbish in your backyard

In Ghana, it’s not unusual to see people lighting small fires to burn their household waste. Some even believe it’s more “efficient” than waiting for waste management companies that may never come. But in many countries like the UK, Canada, and several U.S. states, open burning of trash is banned. It’s considered an environmental hazard and a public health issue. You can be fined heavily or even face criminal charges for burning waste in your backyard. In Ghana, though, your only worry might be whether the smoke is blowing into someone’s kitchen. But let’s be honest. The government also shares the blame. Waste management in Ghana is poor. How can someone be expected to store rubbish for over three months without collection? What exactly are they supposed to do with it? Many resort to burning it as their only option.

6. Riding motorcycles without helmets

Let’s be honest. How many motorbike riders in Ghana actually wear helmets? And even when they do, the passenger often doesn’t. In Ghana, some see helmets as optional or even unnecessary. “Oh, I’m just going down the road,” they’ll say. But in countries like Germany and Australia, riding without a helmet is a serious offence. It’s not just a fine. In some places, your license can be suspended. They don’t joke with safety rules there. Meanwhile, here in Ghana, the okada guy will just shout “hop on!” and speed off, no helmet in sight.

7. Overloading vehicles

We’ve all seen those trotros or cargo trucks that are packed like sardines. Sometimes even the roof has loads of bags, goats, or human beings. It’s like a circus on wheels. But this would never fly in most European or North American countries. Exceeding passenger or cargo limits is a criminal offence and vehicles can be impounded on the spot. Ghana? The mate will just shout “small space dey, shift small!”

8. Selling things in traffic

“Yess, pure water, pure water, yoghurt, meat pie!” If you’ve been stuck in Accra traffic, then you’ve definitely bought something through your car window. It’s part of our traffic culture. You can buy everything from plantain chips to dog chains without stepping out of your car.

But elsewhere, that’s illegal. In places like the U.S., UK, and France, selling items on the road — especially in traffic — is banned. It’s considered unsafe for both drivers and the hawkers. But in Ghana, it's just another day at the “market.”

9. Beating children as a form of discipline

In Ghana, it’s common and often expected for parents or even teachers to discipline children with canes when they misbehave. At home, it’s not unusual to hear things like, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” But in countries like Sweden, New Zealand, and even parts of the U.S., this is considered corporal punishment and is totally illegal. If you beat a child even your own you could be reported, arrested, and even lose custody. Some places have child protection hotlines where kids themselves can report you. Imagine a child in Ghana going to report their mother to the police because she smacked them for lying; many of us would laugh. But elsewhere, it's taken seriously as physical abuse.

Now, this doesn’t mean that Ghanaians don’t love their children; far from it. But it does show how different cultures draw the line between discipline and violence. What’s considered “training” here could be labelled “assault” elsewhere.

Conclusion

So yeah, there are a lot of things we do here in Ghana without a second thought; things that, in other parts of the world, would be completely illegal. It just shows how much culture shapes law and behaviour. What’s normal here might be shocking somewhere else, and vice versa.

Let me know in the comments: which one surprised you the most? Or do you know something else that’s legal in Ghana but banned elsewhere? Let’s talk.