Ghana: Western governments warn of persistent terrorist threat

Event

According to Canadian and UK diplomatic authorities, the terrorist threat remains elevated in Ghana as of August 2017. Both governments renewed their alerts dating from May 2017, citing the potential for terrorists to attempt indiscriminate attacks, which could target places frequented by Westerners (such as shopping malls, government buildings, and public areas such as bars, restaurants, hotels, and tourist sites).

In March 2016, Ghana’s National Security Council announced that the government was increasing security measures in response to attacks in the region; security forces have reportedly continued to monitor the threat.

Context

While there have been no recent attacks in Ghana, terrorist groups, such as Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWA), have demonstrated their capability and intent by mounting attacks in the wider region in recent months, including in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

Advice

Individuals present in Ghana are advised to maintain a high degree of vigilance, to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities, and to be particularly alert when visiting sites deemed likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, etc.).