Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Boniface Gambila Adagbila, has issued a stark warning regarding Ghana’s susceptibility to terrorism, emphasizing the need for collaborative defense efforts with neighboring Burkina Faso. Speaking on Joy FM’s *Top Story* following a Reuters report suggesting northern Ghana is becoming a covert base for Islamist militants, Adagbila urged proactive measures to prevent insurgent activities from spilling over into Ghana.
According to the report, militants associated with groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have been covertly accessing northern Ghana for logistical and medical support, gathering essentials such as food, fuel, and even medical aid for wounded fighters. These activities reportedly involve border crossings where local authorities may turn a blind eye, potentially to avoid threats to national security. However, Ambassador Adagbila dismissed these claims as speculative, underscoring the resilience of Ghana’s security forces and the critical need for structured, lawful movement across the border.
Ambassador Adagbila underscored the pressing need to back Burkina Faso in its fight against terrorism, particularly as the country grapples with insurgencies that have claimed vast portions of its territory. He noted that Burkina Faso’s geographic position between the Sahel and Ghana makes it a buffer state for Ghana against the encroachment of extremist groups. This situation, he warned, places Ghana in a precarious position if Burkina Faso’s defenses falter. “Burkina Faso is between the Sahel and Ghana, so if we don’t support Burkina Faso to win the terrorism battle and the terrorists capture Burkina Faso, which country will be their next target? Logically, Ghana will be vulnerable to terrorism,” Adagbila cautioned.
The ambassador also highlighted Burkina Faso’s steady advancements in counter-terrorism measures, stressing that the country has significantly fortified its response mechanisms against militants. He advised that travelers crossing into Burkina Faso adhere strictly to authorized border procedures to mitigate potential risks. “We normally advise people not to move in anyhow but through the proper channels of traveling to and from Burkina Faso because you don’t know what can happen at any time,” he advised.
Source: Modern Ghana