Prostitution is illegal but widespread in Ghana, so much so that many Ghanaians are unaware that it is prohibited. There are growing sex tourism, child prostitution and human trafficking. High rates of unemployment and poverty in Ghana are believed to be causing a drastic growth in the sex industry. Unemployment is a reason the teenage engage in sex trade. A high percentage of sex workers are vulnerable to HIV.

Some prostitutes in Ghana are campaigning for the sex trade to be legalised, and discussions have taken place.

Ghana's former Prime Minister, Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, an Oxford sociologist, wrote a thesis on prostitution “Report on a social survey of Sekondi-Takoradi.“

Prostitutes in Ghana are known locally as "ashawo", "toutou" (derived from 'two shillings, two pence'; a prostitute who doesn't charge much) or "maame-i-dey". There are brothels in most Ghana towns, cities and ports. Often these are in makeshift shacks or old warehouses, and some are attached to bars. Prostitutes not working in the brothels are known as either "seaters" or "roamers". The seaters work from home, sitting in the doorway and inviting customers in. When they are with a customer they lower a curtain in front of the door. Seaters generally work in one area of town, creating a small red-light district. Generally they are older women or widows.

Roamers tend to be younger women and work on the streets, bars and hotels. "Pilots", often taxi-drivers, work as intermediaries between the women and clients in hotels. They usually get a fee from both parties. They also help the women get into the hotels as most have a no single women rule. Hotel staff may also take bribes to let the women in.

The women face occasional violence from the customers, or more commonly refusal to pay. Hotel staff may exploit them.

Since oil production started in 2011, prostitution in the port of Takoradi has risen sharply due to the influx of oil workers.

UNAIDS estimate there are 52,000 prostitutes in the country.