The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery has reiterated the country’s high alertness on terrorist attacks.
This follows similar disturbances in Burkina Faso which have forced some of its nationals to migrate to the northern parts of Ghana.
According to the Interior Minister, a stronger collaboration among state security agencies will avert such terrorist attacks in Ghana.
The Interior Minister said the recent disturbances in Ghana’s Northern neighbours is not only a security concern but also a wake-up call for Ghana.
Speaking at a meeting of regional commanders of the Ghana Immigration Service, Mr. Ambrose Dery was of the view that the biggest security threat facing the country now is terrorism, adding that President Nana Akufo-Addo is deeply concerned about the situation.
He also called on the public, civil society and other organizations to be mindful of efforts at preventing possible terrorist attacks.
“It is increasingly clear that the greatest threat we have in this sub region is terrorism although it has not even hit Ghana yet. Terrorism is therefore top security concern of the President of the Republic of Ghana and indeed all of us. Having said this, the challenge demands remedial efforts from all of us and not individual organizations [alone]. Terrorist attacks in the sub-region and Burkina Faso in particular must be a wake up call. We cannot pretend that all is well and take the peace of the country for granted.”
“We are saying this because we believe the Government want to be proactive, we want to deal with the matter…. That is why it is so important for us. In the past 3 years, Burkina Faso is reported to have registered an estimated 230 terrorist attacks leading to several deaths including civilians and military.”
The Interior Minister subsequently reiterated Government’s resolve to work as early as possible towards averting any terrorist attacks now or in the future.
“The time to call for close collaborations between Security services and civil society organizations and the adoption of coordinated approaches and preventing terrorism in Ghana is now. So we must act now,” he added.
Victims of terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso seek refuge in Ghana
Hundreds of victims of terrorist attacks in neighbouring Burkina Faso earlier this week fled to seek refuge in the Sissala East Municipal Assembly in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
Chief Executive of the Sissala East Municipal Assembly, Karim Nanyua told Citi News that over 300 Burkina Faso nationals are seeking refuge within his jurisdiction.
“They were found in two different places. The estimation of people in the first place was about 200 plus people while the second place was about 100 plus of refugees. During interrogation with the people, they claimed they came from the border between Burkina Faso and Mali. They indicated that there had been a terrorist attack around that area. They said they are farmers and they had countless attacks on them and on their farms, where some of them have been killed. So they are here to seek refuge and continue with their farming,” the MCE stated.
