More than 300 people were arrested between 2023 and 2025 over alleged extremist recruitment attempts along Ghana’s northern border, Majority Leader James Agalga has disclosed.
The arrests formed part of efforts by the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies to prevent extremist groups operating in the sub region from recruiting individuals in Ghana.
Mr Agalga, who chairs Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, also revealed that security agencies recorded 47 cross border incursions during the period.
He disclosed the figures at the 9th REPAM CDS Security Governance Conference, where he called for stronger security and governance measures to protect the country from emerging threats.
Ghana Not Insulated
The Majority Leader said Ghana had maintained relative peace and stability compared with some neighbouring countries, but warned that the country could not afford to become complacent.
He noted that Ghana’s geographical location and proximity to countries affected by violent extremism made stronger border security and intelligence gathering essential.
“In Ghana, we have remained relatively stable, but we are not insulated,” Mr Agalga said.
He added that the arrests and incursions reflected the growing security pressure facing the country.
The figures also underline the challenge of preventing recruitment networks from exploiting communities along the northern frontier, where cross border movement can make surveillance and intelligence gathering more difficult.
Cybercrime Adds to Security Threats
Mr Agalga said Ghana’s security concerns were no longer limited to physical attacks and border incursions.
He cited rising cybercrime and fraud as evidence that threats were becoming more complex and increasingly transnational.
“At the same time, our 2024 crime statistics show a 12.3 percent increase in cybercrime and fraud cases, highlighting the shift to non traditional threats,” he said.
According to him, the figures showed that threats were “transnational, asymmetric” and capable of testing the governance systems responsible for protecting citizens.
He urged Ghana to strengthen its security institutions, improve intelligence coordination and reinforce governance structures to respond effectively to both traditional and emerging threats.
The call comes as security agencies continue efforts to prevent extremist groups from gaining a foothold in Ghana while addressing new forms of crime that operate beyond the country’s physical borders.
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