Components like detonator cords and explosive charges used in attacks on U.N. and government forces in the Sahel have been traced back to West Africa’s commercial mining operations, including those in Ghana.
In a report by Reuters, sources reveal that Islamist militants in the Sahel region are discreetly tapping into Ghana’s northern territories to secure logistical support, food, and medical treatment, a trend that poses risks of deeper entrenchment of militant networks across West Africa.
According to Ghanaian security officials and regional diplomats cited by Reuters, militants from Burkina Faso cross into northern Ghana, taking advantage of porous borders to restock essential supplies and even seek medical care.
Despite this, Ghana has so far avoided the type of Islamist attacks that have plagued neighboring countries, partly because of militants’ strategy of maintaining Ghana as a logistical safe haven rather than a target. “You won’t destroy where you sleep, would you?” a Ghanaian security official reportedly told Reuters, noting that militants are often monitored and, in some cases, used as informants.
While Ghana has maintained close ties with Western nations and has worked actively to prevent militant violence within its borders, some analysts caution that the government’s low-profile approach may allow extremist networks to build roots in marginalized communities. Boniface Gambila Adagbila, Ghana’s ambassador to Burkina Faso, acknowledged the challenge, emphasizing that Ghanaian authorities are collaborating with Burkina Faso to curb cross-border movement of insurgents. Adagbila denied the existence of any informal non-aggression pacts between Ghana and the militants, asserting that Ghana is actively working to “flush them out.”
Growing concern over Ghana’s mining sector
Concerns are also mounting over the role of Ghana’s mining sector in inadvertently supplying materials used by militants for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) across the Sahel. According to a recent report by the Small Arms Survey and corroborated by U.N. sources, explosive materials from commercial mining activities, such as detonators and ammonium nitrate, are sometimes diverted and end up fueling violence across West Africa. The Center for International Cooperation in Mali (CIC) has highlighted the risks associated with the vast unregulated artisanal mining industry across the region, noting that insurgents can access these materials more readily as they exploit poorly regulated supply chains.
Experts warn that the security implications for Ghana could intensify if militants strengthen their recruitment efforts in Ghanaian communities. Aaron Atimpe, an expert on extremist groups in West Africa, highlighted that militants crossing into Ghana “are not just using it as a rest and supply base; they are actively engaging and recruiting local residents.” While recruitment remains limited, the potential for expansion could destabilize the northern parts of the country.
Regional impact and international concerns
The movement of militants into northern Ghana underscores the growing insecurity in the broader West African region, particularly the Sahel. Burkina Faso, at the heart of the insurgency, has ceded control of over half of its territory to various militant factions aligned with Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.
The United Nations recently reported that instability in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger has effectively turned the Sahel into a new epicenter for global terrorism, leading to widespread displacement and violence. The crisis has led to international concerns over the potential spread of violence to the more stable coastal nations, including Ghana, Benin, and Ivory Coast.
Clingendael, a Netherlands-based think tank, reports that Ghana’s low-conflict status is partly due to joint operations with neighboring countries and discreet monitoring of extremist groups crossing its borders. “Yet, to avoid escalation, it also appears to have accepted de facto non-aggression with JNIM [Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin],” the organization noted, referencing a group that has made public its intent to expand further into West Africa.
Preventive measures amid rising tensions
To counter potential spillover, Ghana has ramped up its efforts to control and monitor its northern borders and is reportedly collaborating with the United States and other Western partners. Additionally, Ghana’s military is conducting surveillance and joint training exercises with neighboring security forces to enhance cross-border security.
However, critics suggest that economic pressures and local grievances may still make Ghana’s border regions vulnerable to extremist influence. Limited economic opportunities, paired with strained government resources in northern Ghana, could make communities susceptible to recruitment efforts by militants who provide economic incentives.
The situation calls for urgent policy attention to improve border security and address vulnerabilities in Ghana’s mining industry, experts say, as the Sahel insurgency shows no signs of abating.
Amid ongoing discussions regarding the issue, The Independent Ghana reached out to the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons for comment.
However, the Commission stated that it is currently unable to provide any remarks on the matter.
