As the jihadist rebellion intensifies in the Sahel region and the security situation in Burkina Faso continues to deteriorate since the 2022 military coup, southern coastal nations such as Ghana are actively struggling to contain the spillover of terrorist groups.

In northern Ghana , although terrorist groups operate discreetly, their presence has been confirmed, particularly in trade routes , and the recruitment of Ghanaian fighters is a reality. Faced with this threat, the government and civil society organizations are mobilizing to raise awareness among communities and organize collective resistance .

Detect the Signs and Alert

In the Upper Eastern Ghana region, in the border village of Widnaba , vigilance is essential. Gifty Awuah , a resident, recalls a visit from a suspicious group a few years ago:

"We saw white men coming. They told us they were Muslims and that they wanted to build wells . We took it lightly because we thought they wanted to help. The way they spoke, it was as if they wanted a certain devotion and they talked a lot about their religion too."

In early 2025, Gifty and other female volunteers from the village received training from the local association Codac . This training aimed to equip them to detect such suspicious behavior, question individuals, and alert the authorities . Gifty understood that:

"It was only later that we realized that these people can also come, not with the aim of helping us, but to influence us to do what they want."

The village of Widnaba is separated from neighboring Burkina Faso by a few hills, and a direct road without a border post connects the two countries. This proximity exposes Widnaba to the pressure of the jihadist insurgency: residents hear the sound of explosions and witness the influx of hundreds of Burkinabè refugees after each attack. The village chief himself has received direct threats by telephone from Burkina Faso, related to the management of the local mosque and the faith of the young people.

The Lure of Money and Ideology

Issaku Bukari , director of the Codac association, highlights the usual approach of recruiters:

"If you look at the signs and what they do to convince people, it's either through religion , or through other political philosophies , economic or social activities."

With support from the British Embassy, Codac trained 200 volunteers in three border districts. This initiative helped to increase public awareness , and military patrols were stepped up by the government.

However, evidence of infiltration and recruitment persists. Aaron Kulariba , another Codac informant, testifies to the continued recruitment attempts:

"The last time I heard that young people were moving from here to Burkina Faso to join the terrorists . I didn't hear that from just one community, even in Kultamise, even in the Nware community where I am now, I was told that people were trying to cross. We really are the last communities before Burkina Faso."

Although local religious ideology does not tend towards extremism, the monetary factor is considered a convincing argument for some young men tempted to join terrorist groups.