Islamist militants engaged in conflict in Burkina Faso are discreetly using northern Ghana as a base for logistics and medical support, according to seven sources, including Ghanaian security officials and regional diplomats. This strategy, they say, could potentially help the insurgents extend their influence in West Africa.
Ghanaian authorities appear to be largely ignoring these crossings, allowing militants to stock up on supplies such as food, fuel, and even explosives and to receive medical treatment in local hospitals. While this approach may have spared Ghana from the type of attacks seen in neighboring countries, there are concerns it could enable militants to establish roots and recruit within marginalized communities.
Ghana shares a 600 km border with Burkina Faso, a country that has lost control over half its territory to a pro-al Qaeda group known as JNIM, which recently announced its aim to expand operations into Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Unlike these countries, Ghana has not yet faced a major attack.
Ghana’s ambassador to Burkina Faso, Boniface Gambila Adagbila, acknowledged that militants exploit porous borders, viewing Ghana as a “safe haven,” but denied that the government had any non-aggression arrangement with them. He confirmed that Ghana is working closely with Burkina Faso to address the threat.
Ghana, a stable democracy with close ties to Western nations, has been praised for its role in regional security. However, reports from the Netherlands Institute of International Relations (Clingendael) suggest that Ghana might be refraining from disrupting the militants’ activities to avoid provoking attacks. Some officials reportedly consider this approach necessary to maintain peace within Ghana’s borders.
A senior Ghanaian security official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that militants use Ghana as a base for supplies and medical treatment but added that they are under surveillance and sometimes provide intelligence to Ghanaian authorities. Arrests have been made, with suspects handed over to Burkina Faso.
Islamist militant activity has been escalating in West Africa since the 2000s, with previous non-aggression pacts in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger failing as violence intensified, contributing to recent coups and a pivot toward Russian support. Western nations have since increased their focus on bolstering security in Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Ivory Coast, which share borders with the Sahel.
Clingendael reports that, out of 40 suspected militant incidents in Ghana since 2015, only two involved violence, with most activities relating to supply runs or recruitment efforts. Explosives from Ghana’s mining operations have been linked to attacks in Mali, highlighting the risks of arms trafficking.
Aaron Atimpe, an expert on extremism, warns that militants are actively recruiting within local communities in northern Ghana, contributing to radicalization alongside logistical operations.