Trust and safety guide
How to avoid artisan scams when hiring in Ghana
Most artisans are honest, but the same problems come up again and again: a large deposit followed by silence, materials bought at inflated prices, or work that stops halfway. A few habits protect you without insulting good providers.
Reviewed 2026-08-23Control how money moves
Avoid paying the full price before work starts. For bigger jobs, agree stages and pay against work you can see. Where materials are needed, buy them yourself or pay against a receipt from the supplier.
Keep a record of every payment, including Mobile Money transaction IDs, and note what each payment was for.
Put the scope in writing
Write down what will be done, the materials, the price, the start date, and the expected finish date before work begins. A message thread counts. It settles most disagreements before they start.
Check who you are dealing with
Look for reviews from past customers, ask to see photos of similar finished work, and confirm the person who arrives is the person you agreed with. Never share one-time codes sent to your phone; no genuine provider needs them.
When you are not on site
If you are managing work from another city or from abroad, ask for dated photos or short videos at each stage, and have someone you trust inspect the work before releasing the next payment.
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