Ghana not “supply line” for Islamist militants — National Security condemns “irresponsible” Reuters report
The Ministry of National Security has expressed concern over a recent Reuters report that falsely claimed that Islamist militants were using northern Ghana as a logistical and medical base for their insurgent activities.
In a statement released on Friday, October 25, the ministry said the claims were inaccurate.
The report suggested that Ghanaian authorities were largely ignoring insurgents crossing from neighbouring Burkina Faso to obtain food, fuel, explosives, and medical treatment.
The ministry emphasized that Reuters did not conduct independent verification and instead relied on a previously discredited publication by the Netherlands Institute of International Relations (Clingendael).
The ministry had already challenged this publication for containing several errors.
Additionally, the ministry clarified that Clingendael’s source inaccurately implied that Ghana’s lack of terrorist attacks stemmed from a supposed “non-aggression” understanding with militant groups, allowing for the preservation of supply lines and safe havens.
“This assertion is entirely unfounded, misleading, and rather curious,” the Ministry said, dismissing the claims as an “unwarranted slur on Ghana.”
In August 2024, the ministry said it held a series of meetings with Clingendael researchers to address numerous inaccuracies in the draft report regarding Ghana’s security posture. It also submitted a response paper outlining the errors that Clingendael was expected to correct in the final report.
The ministry categorically rejected the portrayal of Ghana as a “supply line” for militants, stressing that Ghana’s counter-terrorism efforts have earned commendation from regional and global partners engaged in the fight against terrorism.
“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 statement said.
The ministry also dismissed the notion of a “non-aggression” policy or any tacit agreement with militant groups.
“Any suggestion that Ghana passively facilitates extremist activities or is permissive towards threats is not only false but undermines the vigilance of our security personnel and the substantial investments the Government continues to make to strengthen border security,” it added.
The statement further noted that the Government, through its state security and intelligence agencies, conducts continuous operations to prevent terrorist infiltration and cross-border movements of militants, achieving notable successes over the years.
It highlighted Ghana’s unwavering collaboration with neighbouring countries, reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational coordination to tackle shared security threats in the region.
“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 statement added.