The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned British nationals and UK travellers to Ghana that there are potential terrorist attacks headed for Ghana and it could be indiscriminate, particularly in places visited by foreigners.
A statement released by the FCO said, terrorist groups associated with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Islamic State of Libya and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) present a threat in the region.
These groups have demonstrated capability and intent by mounting attacks against security forces and civilians in several countries, most recently in Burkina Faso and Mali.
“While there have been no recent attacks in Ghana, you should remain vigilant, particularly in northern border areas and in busy public locations (including beach resorts, hotels, cafes, restaurants and places of worship) across the country,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, this threat is a re-echoing of red flags raised recently by ex-President Jerry John Rawlings who claims he has Intel that there are potential terrorist attacks being planned against Ghana, and that the threat is real.
In a statement issued on his behalf by the Communication Directorate of his office, Rawlings said “Ghanaians can no longer procrastinate on the matter of terrorism and assume we are insulated from the reality,” adding that “The time has come for heightened vigilance by every Ghanaian as we enter a vulnerable period leading up to the December Presidential and Parliamentary elections.”
“Travel advice and credible intelligence reports from several sources warn of potential terrorist attacks in countries like Ghana and Togo. Our country faces a real threat of terrorism with the heightened attacks in neighbouring countries”, he cautioned.
Rawlings said inhabitants of especially Ghana’s border communities need to remain extra vigilant and observant to avoid any such terrorist attacks.