Security agencies in the country have arrested more than 300 individuals in connection with alleged extremist recruitment drives along the country’s northern border over the past two years, Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee Chairman has revealed.
Majority Leader James Agalga disclosed that the arrests, conducted by the Ghana Armed Forces and allied security agencies between 2023 and 2025, were part of a concerted effort to thwart attempts by militant groups in the sub-region to establish a foothold within the country.
Speaking at the 9th REPAM-CDS Security Governance Conference, Mr. Agalga also noted that security agencies recorded 47 cross-border incursions during the same period, a stark indicator of the persistent threats facing Ghana’s northern frontier.
While acknowledging the nation’s relative peace, Mr. Agalga cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that Ghana’s proximity to conflict-affected states renders it vulnerable to asymmetric threats.
He called for enhanced border surveillance and intelligence-sharing to disrupt extremist networks before they can organize.
“In Ghana, we have remained relatively stable, but we are not insulated,” he stated.
“These data points tell us one thing: threats are transnational, asymmetric, and they test the very governance structures we are mandated to oversee.”
In a further sign of evolving security challenges, Mr. Agalga cited a 12.3% surge in cybercrime and fraud cases in 2024, underscoring the need for Ghana to bolster both its physical and digital defenses.
