Ghana Terror Attack -Ghana has been tipped to experience possible terror attacks according to the United Kingdom. On Thursday, August 3, The UK recently graced her website with some travel advice indicating that terrorists are likely to carry out attacks in Ghana. The said travel advice cautioned tourists and travellers to be mindful of the Gold Coast when considering travel locations.
In recent times some Ghana nationals have been linked to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Moreso, Ghana’s National Security in 2016 declared travellers from Libya, Mali and Niger high risk following tangible threats of terrorist attacks on the country. However, it later said enough measures had been put in place to avert terrorism.
Although the country has seen no terror attacks, the UK says that terrorist groups in west Africa have demonstrated their capability and intent by mounting attacks in 2015 and 2016 in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali, targeting beach resorts, hotels, cafes and restaurants visited by foreigners.
The UK stated that groups associated with al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Islamic State of Libya and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) present a threat to the wider region.
The UK issued warnings to the nation asking citizens to be vigilant and at alert. They also referenced a National Security statement indicating enhanced security measures in response to attacks elsewhere.
Apart from the UK government, the Canadian government also warned its citizens travelling to Ghana to be mindful of imminent terror attacks in the country. A notice issued in May 2017, stated that terrorist targets could include shopping malls, government buildings, public areas such as bars, restaurants, hotels, and sites frequented by Westerners.
However, Ghana’s National Security has released a statement to dispel reports that the country has been highlighted as facing an imminent terror attack. In the statement, it said the Ghana terror attack alerts are only standard cautions and do not represent any specific known terrorist threats to the country.
The statement signed by Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, said that Ghana’s security agencies will be aware if there is any known threat.
Meanwhile, Ghanaians have been put in an alert mode following the terror warnings from the UK. The response from the government seems not to be enough for some stakeholders who are asking for more information on the issue.
Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had earlier asked the government to officially state its response to the terror attack warnings issued by both the United Kingdom and Canadian governments. He said that the government’s response will either inform Ghanaians on whether there is the need for national security to align with what the UK and Canadian authorities have said.
Notwithstanding the various reports, Ghana has beefed up security at its borders.
