Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Boniface Gambila Adagbila, has affirmed the country’s commitment to aiding Burkina Faso in its fight against terrorism.
His comments come in the wake of a Reuters report revealing that Islamist militants fighting in Burkina Faso have been discreetly using northern Ghana as a base for logistical and medical support.
The militants have reportedly been crossing the border to stock up on supplies, including food, fuel, and explosives, while also receiving medical treatment for injured fighters.
Per the report, the authorities often turn a blind eye to the insurgents’ crossing over from neighbouring Burkina Faso to spare the country from attacks.
Reacting to this on Joy FM’s Top Story, Ambassador Adagbila refuted the claim, emphasising the strategic importance of supporting Burkina Faso in the ongoing battle against insurgents linked to groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
“Burkina Faso has been improving daily in its combating of terrorism, and 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 told host Samuel Kojo Brace on Friday.
He further warned of the wider ambitions of these terrorist groups and the potential implications for Ghana.
“One of the objectives of these insurgents or terrorists is to take control of the world. 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.”
With Burkina Faso losing control over half its territory to the militants, Ambassador Adagbila stressed the need for regional cooperation, adding that supporting Burkina Faso is essential to preventing the spread of terrorism into Ghana and beyond.
“Burkina Faso, for us, is fighting terrorism, and we need to support them so that they can win that fight. Security-wise, we can be preventive and proactive,” he concluded.
The ambassador’s remarks highlight the growing threat of terrorism in the region and the urgent need for Ghana to reinforce its border security and actively engage in counterterrorism efforts with its northern neighbour.
Unlike Togo and Benin, Ghana has not experienced a major terrorist attack, but the risk of insurgency spreading into the country remains a serious concern.
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