The Ministry of National Security has urged the Ghanaian populace and the international community to disregard and treat report from Reuters suggesting that, the country’s Northern sector is being used as a logistical and medical base by Islamic militants to support their insurgent activities which the Ghanaians authorities have turned a blind eye on as palpable falsehood.
The assurance, contained in a press statement issued by the Ministry comes after Reuters suggested in its report that Ghanaian authorities appeared to be largely turning a blind eye to insurgents crossing from neighboring Burkina Faso to obtain food, fuel, and even explosives, as well as receiving medical treatment in local hospitals.
The Ministry’s statement stated categorically that, “there is no “non-aggression” policy or tacit agreement with militant groups. Any suggestion that Ghana “passively” facilitates extremist activities or is permissive towards threats is not only incorrect but undermines the vigilance of our dedicated security personnel and the substantial investments the Government continues to make to fortify security along the northern frontier.
It added, “The Government of Ghana deserves recognition for the significant resources it allocates to securing the country’s borders. Our security forces are actively engaged in counter-terrorism operations, particularly along the northern border, with a firm commitment to protecting citizens and maintaining regional stability.
“The Ministry of National Security urges the public and the international community to disregard these erroneous and irresponsible reports. The Government of Ghana remains committed to upholding national security, safeguarding the safety and well-being of citizens, and supporting regional counter-terrorism efforts without compromise”.
The report from Reuters has also been dismissed by conflict resolution and peacebuilding expert, Emmanuel Bombande, who says it is “completely sensational and over-exaggerated.”
In an interview with Joy FM, the former board chair of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict contended that these claims frequently result from foreigners misinterpreting Ghana’s defenses against Islamist crimes.
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He emphasised that Ghanaian security agencies, despite challenges, have worked closely over the years with local communities, supported by initiatives like the “See Something, Say Something” campaign.
Read below the statement from National Security
MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY’S RESPONSE TO REUTERS’ REPORT ON ALLEGED TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN GHANA
The Ministry of National Security has noted with grave concern a recent news report riddled with non-factual representations by Reuters, dated October 24, 2024. This report erroneously claims that Islamist militants are allegedly using northern Ghana as a logistical and medical base to support their insurgent activities. Specifically, the report wrongly asserts that “Ghanaian authorities appeared to be largely turning a blind eye to insurgents crossing from neighbouring Burkina Faso to obtain food, fuel, and even explosives, as well as receiving medical treatment in local hospitals.”
Additionally, Reuters, without doing any verifications of their own, referenced an already discredited publication by the Netherlands Institute of International Relations (Clingendael). That publication has since been challenged and errors pointed out to them by the National Security Ministry. Clingendael, the only source of the Reuters report, inaccurately and oddly suggests that Ghana’s lack of terrorist attacks results from a purported “non-aggression” understanding with militant groups to preserve supply lines and places of rest. This assertion is entirely unfounded, misleading and rather curious.
The Ministry categorically refutes these claims as nothing but an unwarranted slur on Ghana and wishes to state the following on record:
- In August 2024, the Ministry held a series of meetings with researchers from Clingendael and their local collaborators to address numerous inaccuracies identified in their draft report regarding Ghana’s security stance. It was agreed at this meeting that the Ministry would provide a paper addressing these inaccuracies, which were then expected to be rectified in the final report. The Ministry duly submitted this response paper, clarifying Ghana’s counter-terrorism position and refuting the unsubstantiated claims about any passive alignment with militant activities.
- The Ministry strongly rejects the portrayal of Ghana as a “supply line” for militants. Ghana’s counter-terrorism efforts are rightly commended by her partners in the relentless regional and global fight against terrorism.
The Government of Ghana deserves the commendation it regularly receives from the international community for the significant resources it spends on keeping the country’s borders safe. Our security forces are actively engaged in counter-terrorism efforts, particularly along our northern border, with a firm commitment to protecting citizens and maintaining regional stability.
There is no “non-aggression” policy or tacit agreement with militant groups. Any suggestion that Ghana “passively” facilitates extremist activities or is permissive towards threats is not only incorrect but undermines the vigilance of our dedicated security personnel and the substantial investments the Government continues to make to fortify security along the northern frontier.
- The Government of Ghana, through its State Security and Intelligence Agencies, conducts continuous operations to prevent any terrorist infiltration or cross-border movement of militants and has been doing so over the years with notable successes. Furthermore, Ghana remains steadfast in its collaboration with neighbouring countries, reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational coordination to address shared security threats in the region.
The Ministry of National Security therefore calls on the public and international community to disregard these erroneous and irresponsible reports. The Ghana Government will remain steadfast and not relent on its responsibility to uphold national security and safeguard the safety and wellbeing of its citizens and we shall continue to do so without compromising on the wider regional counter-terrorism efforts.
