The United Kingdom (UK) has updated its travel advice for British nationals traveling to Ghana warning of likely terrorist attacks.
“Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Ghana. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners,” the update stated.
[contextly_sidebar id=”L9growcEpoVgVd5XRcnK1FpUHtabC2AL”]Around 90,000 British nationals visit Ghana every year.
This update comes as the Government of Canada has cautioned its citizens of potential violent crimes in Ghana following the suspected kidnapping of two of its nationals in Kumasi.
The focus of terror threats in Ghana comes amid the increased threat of terror attacks on churches in the sub-region.
Four persons were killed in an attack on a Catholic church in northern Burkina Faso late in May.
That was the latest in a string of assaults on Christian places of worship in Ghana’s neighbour to the north.
Burkina Faso has seen more than 230 terror attacks in a little over three years.
The Government of Burkina Faso has declared a state of emergency in the entire East and Sahel regions.
The UK travel office notes that Burkina Faso is “considered a legitimate target by Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M) and its associated groups.”
There are concerns that the insecurity in Burkina Faso has provided a launching pad for attacks in Ghana.
The terror fears have led the police to even suggest the banning of bags from churches.
Police in the Central Region called on the clergy to consider banning the use of bags in churches to reduce the risk of an attack.
Observers have also urged churches to improve security in churches and worship centres over possible terrorist attacks.
Security agencies in the country have met the leadership of the Christian community to discuss how to enhance security at the various churches in the wake of the concerns.
The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery has assured that Ghana is on high alert for 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,” he said.