Islamist terrorism in Ghana: Oasis of peace in danger

Ghana was considered a haven of stability in West Africa. However, the country faces a growing threat from jihad.

Police officers during the visit of Ministers Heil and Schulze to Ivory Coast, February 23, 2023 Photo: Christophe Gateau/dpa/picture alliance

His own country has so far been largely spared. But terrorism “is of great concern to all governments in West Africa,” said Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, during a visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the end of October 2023. The entire region has become unstable due to Islamist terror. Over the last ten years, the threat has spread to the south and east.

“Meanwhile, all countries in West Africa must take significant precautionary measures to counter possible attacks by terrorists,” Akufo-Addo said. Akufo-Addo said he was hoping for support from Germany – military resources and help with reconnaissance.

Ghana is considered an oasis of peace and stability in a region plagued by conflict and political unrest. But today Ghana also faces the threat of violent extremists. Although the country has not yet been attacked, security experts warn that terrorist organizations operating in the Sahel are targeting West African coastal states, including Ghana.

The West African Center for Counter Extremism (WACCE), which researches violent extremism in West Africa, considers northern Ghana to be particularly threatened. WACCE director Muntaru Mumuni Muqtar says the “combination of porous borders, ethnic and religious grievances, social and economic challenges are of great concern to security experts in Ghana”. There is a large development gap between the poorly developed north and the south of Ghana. The youth in the north are therefore more susceptible to radicalization. “There are fewer job opportunities in northern Ghana. This makes it easier for violent extremist organizations to recruit youth,” said Muqtar.

Several deadly attacks have been carried out in Ghana’s neighboring states of Guinea, Togo and Ivory Coast since 2016. Large parts of Burkina Faso, Ghana’s neighbor to the north, are controlled by terrorist groups, as are Niger and Mali.

The violence in Burkina Faso has displaced over two million people, some of whom now live as refugees in communities in northern Ghana. Some of them reported that gunmen raided their villages, killed the men of their communities and set fire to their houses.

The German ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, who visited refugee camps in the Upper East Region of Ghana, sees an urgent need for action. But it is crucial that every solution in the region is “developed by Africans for Africans, supported by Africans and implemented by Africans,” says Krull.

To combat violent extremism, the country has taken a number of measures, including a campaign called “See something, say something”. It is intended to sensitize citizens. Ghana’s Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah says he is counting on the public to help security agencies reduce the risk of attacks.

Ghana has participated in multi-national military operations that have captured hundreds of suspected terrorists along the borders with Burkina Faso, Togo and Ivory Coast. Financing such measures is a major challenge for Ghana and its neighboring countries.

The EU launched the NORPREVSEC program in July 2022 to combat electoral violence and to secure the northern border against terrorists. One focus is on the National Commission for Civic Education, which is intended to carry out educational work. Among other things, journalists are trained to be able to better report on the threat posed by violent extremists. At the same time, the media should counteract the radicalization of young people. There are also corresponding training courses for teacher training students.

Strengthening civil society as an EU goal

The second element of the EU project aims to strengthen civil society. The Swiss-based NGO Coginta is in charge here. It seeks to train and strengthen actors such as the “House of Chiefs”, an association of local leaders, in the fight against violent extremism. “In the north we are dealing with conflicts between chiefs, landowners and farmers,” says Coginta team leader Father Clement Apengnuo. “It is in the interest of the international community, including the EU, to help Ghana address this problem.”

The ten million euro NORPREVSEC initiative is just “a drop in the ocean,” says Ghanaian security analyst Adib Saani, director of the Jatikay Center for Human Security. “Ghana is at a crossroads,” said Saani. The country has become a “buffer between the terrorists and the free world” and needs support. The Ghanaian government cannot do this alone and needs more resources. Instead of funding state bodies such as the “disappointing” NCCE education commission, the funds should flow directly to civil society partners. In addition, more would need to be invested in improving the living conditions and rights of minority groups such as the Fulani.

The EU followed up in 2023. In August it was announced that a “civil-military mission” would begin in the Gulf of Guinea in the fall. For this purpose, police officers and soldiers are being sent to Ghana, Togo, Benin and the Ivory Coast. Among other things, they are supposed to offer “deployment preparation training” for anti-terror missions.

In October, the EU delivered 105 armored vehicles to Ghana. “The Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea will also be crucial to our future,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell. Ghana is “an important partner in promoting democracy, peace and regional stability”. In the following months, “reconnaissance and surveillance systems,” “electronic warfare systems,” as well as explosive ordnance disposal equipment and military technology would be sent to Ghana.

Meanwhile, a growing factor in Africa is the Russian mercenary group Wagner. The fact that Ghana “has recently taken a pro-Western stance could pose a small problem for Russia,” says analyst Adib Saani. “But I highly doubt that Wagner will take a hostile stance towards Ghana.” However, Saani warns that “Russia could use the political crisis to expand its influence in the sub-region.”

Here Find out more about the taz Panter Foundation’s Africa workshop and the 54-page magazine.