The sophisticated plan had been hatched by Lt Col Paul Henri Damiba, the military officer ousted by Traoré in September 2022, the security minister said in a late-night broadcast.

“Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” said Mahamadou Sana, further alleging that the plot had been funded from neighbouring Ivory Coast.

There has been no comment from either Col Damiba or Ivory Coast.

Since seizing power, Capt Traoré has faced at least two coup attempts and is also grappling with growing jihadist violence that has forced millions from their homes.

Despite these challenges and his authoritarian reputation, the 37-year-old military leader maintains strong popular support and has gained a following across the continent for his pan-Africanist vision and criticism of Western influence.

According to the security minister, the authorities uncovered a leaked video showing the plotters discussing their plans.

In the footage they allegedly spoke about how they intended to assassinate the president – either at close range or by planting explosives at his residence – just after 23:00 local time on Saturday 3 January.

Afterwards they allegedly planned to target other senior military and civilian figures.

Sana alleged that Damiba had mobilised both soldiers and civilian supporters, secured foreign funding – most significantly 70m CFA francs ($125,000; £92,000) delivered from Ivory Coast – and planned to knock out the country’s drone-launch base before foreign forces could intervene.

“We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” the minister said on national television.

Sana insisted the situation was under control and urged citizens “not to be misled, out of naivety, into dangerous schemes”.

It is not clear how many people have been arrested.

Critics, both local and foreign, have accused Traoré of authoritarianism and say his government suppresses dissent – including arbitrary arrests of military officers and restrictions on the media.

It is not the first time the junta has pointed the finger of blame about foreign interference in its affairs at Ivory Coast.

These continuing internal power struggles will further heighten regional tensions.

Col Damiba served as Burkina Faso’s leader from January-September 2022 after seizing power from an elected government.

After being ousted he went into exile in neighbouring Togo and said in a message published on social media that he wished his successor every success.

The Manchester United winger put the Elephants ahead in the 20th minute when he bustled past a couple of defenders and sent a dinked finish past goalkeeper Herve Koffi from close range.

Twelve minutes later Amad laid on the second for Yan Diomande, who sent a curling finish past the wrongfooted Koffi from just inside the area.

Dango Ouattara came close to pulling one back for the Stallions before the break, but his right-footed effort from a narrow angle hit the base of the left-hand upright and rebounded into the arms of Ivorian keeper Yahia Fofana.

Fofana then made a smart reaction save with his right boot to once again deny Brentford forward Ouattara just after the hour mark, while Amad was denied his second by a similarly fine stop by Koffi.

In the end it was teenager Bazoumana Toure who grabbed the third late on with a fine solo goal, racing forward from midway inside his own half and beating Koffi inside the left-hand upright with a clinical finish.

Emerse Fae’s men will now face record seven-time champions Egypt, who beat Benin 3-1 after extra time on Monday, in a heavyweight last-eight clash in Agadir on Saturday (19:00 GMT).

In separate statements issued by their foreign ministries late on Tuesday, the two West African countries said they were acting in the name of “reciprocity” after the White House announced on December 16 that US President Donald Trump was adding them and five other countries to a list of those subject to a full travel ban.

The White House said the expanded ban, set to take effect on January 1, applied to “countries with demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing to protect the Nation from national security and public safety threats.”

Mali said on Tuesday that Washington’s decision to add it to the travel ban list had been taken without prior consultation and that the stated rationale was not justified by “actual developments on the ground.”

Mali and Burkina Faso are not the first countries to take such measures affecting US citizens after being targeted by Trump’s travel restrictions.

On December 25, neighboring Niger announced it would stop issuing visas to US citizens, the country’s state media agency reported, citing a Nigerien diplomatic source.

In June, Chad announced it was suspending visa issuance to US citizens after it was included on an earlier list of 12 countries affected by a travel ban.

The 2019 champions ended a run of two consecutive group-stage exits courtesy of Mahrez’s cool first-half strike, converting after Ismahila Ouedraogo’s clumsy challenge.

Former Manchester City winger Mahrez, who scored twice in Les Fennecs’ opening 3-0 win over Sudan, dispatched his effort low into the corner, leaving goalkeeper Herve Koffi rooted to the spot.

Burkina Faso responded positively, with Pierre Kabore twice threatening an equaliser before the interval.

The Stallions continued to press after the break but did not manage an attempt on target until the 82nd minute, while Koffi was often called into action at the other end, producing a string of fine saves to thwart Algeria’s rapid counter-attacks.

The result leaves the North Africans top of Group E on six points, with Burkina Faso and Sudan tied on three points after the Falcons of Jediane’s 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea earlier on Sunday – a result that means the Equatoguineans are eliminated.

All four teams will play their final group-stage games on Wednesday (16:00 GMT), when Algeria take on Equatorial Guinea in Rabat and Burkina Faso meet Sudan in Casablanca.

“The adoption of this bill is part of reforms … to have a justice that responds to the deep aspirations of our people,” Minister of Justice Edasso Rodrigue Bayala said in a Facebook post late Thursday.

The death penalty was abolished in the country in 2018.

The bill has to be adopted by parliament and reviewed by the courts before becoming law.

Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, called the move a “serious setback for human rights in Burkina Faso,” and alarming “in the context of the ongoing crackdown on political opponents, human rights activists and journalists in Burkina Faso.”

Since taking power in a 2022 coup, the West African country’s military leaders have launched sweeping reforms, including postponing elections that were expected to restore civilian rule and dissolving the country’s independent electoral commission.

Burkina Faso has increasingly silenced critical media outlets in recent years. It suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio stations for their coverage of a mass killing of civilians carried out by the country’s armed forces, as well as arrested three prominent journalists earlier this year.

The country is one of several West African nations where the military has taken over in recent years, capitalising on widespread discontent with previous democratically elected governments over security issues. The military government has been accused of human rights abuses and the detention of journalists critical of the government.

The landlocked nation of 23 million people is among the countries struggling with a security crisis in the arid Sahel region south of the Sahara in recent years. It has been shaken by violence from extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

He received the honour for his role in the film Captain Ibrahim Traorè, a production inspired by the rise of Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traorè. The film delves into themes of patriotism, leadership and the nation’s struggle against insecurity, capturing the soldier’s journey from military officer to a symbol of hope for many Burkinabé citizens.

In his acceptance speech, LilWin expressed deep gratitude, saying the recognition was both humbling and inspiring.

He also praised the creative team behind the film, stressing that the success was a collective effort.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award as the best actor for Ghana and Nigeria. I want to thank the organizers of the Sotigui Awards for recognizing my work at their 10th edition. I want to thank my director, Jackson K. Bentum, and the entire cast and crew of Captain Ibrahim Traore for their hard work and dedication. Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” he said.

LilWin further extended appreciation to the media and his fans for their diverse contributions in promoting the movie.

The Sotigui Awards, held annually in Ouagadougou, celebrate outstanding talents in African cinema and across the diaspora.

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There are three Europeans, a Malian, and four Burkinabé—among them the NGO’s country director and deputy.

The organisation said they were detained some time ago, but it was not previously reported.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said the NGO had “collected and passed on sensitive security information that could be detrimental to national security and the interests of Burkina Faso, to foreign powers.”

The International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), which provides safety information to aid workers, has “categorically” denied the allegations.

Anthony Neal, a representative of the NGO, told the BBC’s Newsday programme that its Burkina Faso country director had been detained since July when the organisation was suspended. The seven others were arrested later.

“We continue to work towards their safe and immediate release,” he said.

The NGO was suspended on 31 July for three months by the authorities for “collecting sensitive data without authorisation”. It has been working in the country since 2019.

On Tuesday, the security minister said that despite being banned, members of the organisation had continued to collect information and hold meetings secretly.

Mr Neal denied the claim, saying its information-collection activities had ceased on 31 July but its staff remained in Burkina Faso to deal with the detention and meet its contractual commitments.

A statement by the organisation emphasised that the information it collects was not confidential and was meant for the safety of humanitarian workers.

It added that the Burkinabé authorities were “fully aware” of their work and mandate and had been cooperating with the authorities.

Mr Neal said he had tried to engage with the government to address any misunderstandings or concerns. He said safety information was critical, with a “record” number of aid workers having been killed this year around the world.

Burkina Faso’s military government, led by Capt Ibrahim Traore, seized power in a coup three years ago and has had a frosty relationship with Western nations ever since.

In response to a worsening Islamist insurgency, the junta stopped working with the former colonial power, France, and instead turned to Russia for military assistance.

Human rights groups have since accused the army of committing abuses against civilians while tackling the militants, and also cracking down on political dissent and freedom of expression.

Source: BBC

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The refugees, numbering about 5,621, fled to Kpere in Burkina Faso following the recent disturbances.

A team led by the Savannah Regional Director of NADMO, Mahama Zackaria, had travelled with relief items to support them.

According to Mr Zackaria, the team was stopped and prevented from getting close to the displaced persons.

“We went to Kpere in Burkina Faso, where some of our people ran to, but unfortunately, the Burkinabe authorities didn’t allow us to see the people,” he told JoyNews.

“Yes, we saw them from a distance, but we couldn’t communicate with them or give them the relief items we carried.”

He explained that the Burkinabe officials insisted the Ghana government must formally engage them before any assistance could be delivered.

“They said the Ghana government will have to engage them officially, like they did in the Ivory Coast. Without an official international protocol between the two countries, they would not allow us to engage the people,” Mr Zackaria added.

Faced with this setback, the NADMO team returned to Ghana and redirected the relief items to vulnerable residents in parts of the Bole District.

The distribution has so far covered communities including Saru, Dirbir, Kalba, Gbeniyiri, Nakpala, and Dagbabu.

Source: Isaac Nongya

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The new measure, unanimously voted through on Monday, imposes punishments of up to five years in jail, and has become part of a broader crackdown on same-sex relationships across the continent.

Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced on state-run media that “the law provides for a prison sentence of between two and five years as well as fines”.

He added that foreign nationals caught breaking the law would also be deported.

The next step for the legislation is obtaining the signature of the country’s military leader, Capt Ibrahim Traoré, the Reuters news agency reports.

Capt Traoré seized power in 2022, after forcing another military ruler, Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba, from office.

The Sahel nation had previously been among just 22 out of 54 African countries that allowed same-sex relations, which are punishable by death or lengthy prison terms in some states.

After gaining independence from France in 1960, Burkina Faso did not inherit anti-homosexuality laws, unlike Britain’s former colonies on the continent.

The country is socially conservative and religious, with less than 10% of people thought to not follow any faith at all.

Burkina Faso’s new law is in keeping with increasing crackdowns on LGBT relationships across the continent.

Last year, neighbouring Mali, an ally of Burkina Faso and also ruled by a junta, adopted legislation criminalising homosexuality.

There has been significant backlash and criticism against countries that have toughened their anti-gay stance in recent years, including from the World Bank, which had put in place a ban on loaning money to Uganda due to its anti-LBGT stance.

The ban has since been lifted.

Nigeria is also among the countries on the continent that have enacted laws banning homosexuality. Ghana’s parliament passed an anti-homosexuality bill last year, but the then-president did not sign it into law.

Of all the countries, Uganda adopted the toughest provisions, making what it describes as “aggravated homosexuality” a capital offence and imposing life sentences for consensual same-sex relations.

Source: BBC

JoyNews correspondent Eliasu Tanko reported from the Upper East Region that the incident occurred on Saturday, August 23, in Bittou, a town near the Ghanaian border in the Bawku Municipality, raising concerns about the ongoing security crisis in the region.

The victims were members of the Volunteers for the Protection of the Fatherland (VDP), a civilian auxiliary force created by the Burkinabe government to support its regular army against a persistent and deadly insurgency.

Military sources in Burkina Faso familiar with the matter said, “A small team of VDP went into the bush and encountered bad guys [jihadists]. Very wrong.”

This attack marks another deadly escalation in the area and follows a troubling pattern of similar incidents. JNIM, a prominent al-Qaeda affiliate operating in the Sahel, has also claimed responsibility for a June attack in Mongade, near Kulungugu, and another in March in Garanga, near Nware in Ghana’s Pusiga District.

These repeated incursions highlight the volatile security situation along the shared border between Burkina Faso and Ghana.

In response, Burkinabe security and defence forces have launched sweep operations along the borders with Ghana and Togo. The confirmed presence of the jihadist group in the border area underscores the cross-border nature of the threat and the potential for a spillover of the conflict.

The ongoing operation aims to neutralise threats and restore stability to affected communities.

Source: Myjoyonline

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In a statement released on August 22, officials explained that the water level at the dam had risen to 233.98 metres, representing 86.38 percent of its storage capacity. This leaves just 1.02 metres below its maximum operational threshold.

The announcement, signed by Kindo Issiaka, Head of Hydraulics at SONABEL (Société Nationale d’Électricité du Burkina Faso), said the controlled spillage is a precautionary measure to safeguard both the dam’s structural integrity and public safety.

SONABEL urged communities downstream and others who may be impacted to take all necessary precautions ahead of the exercise.

The statement also gave an update on the Kompienga Dam, noting that it currently stands at an upstream elevation of 177.66 metres, which is about 77.26 percent of capacity, leaving 2.34 metres before reaching its peak limit.

Read the full statement below:

Source: Adomonline

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The interior ministry will handle elections in the future, state-run RTB TV reported.

Since seizing power in September 2022, the coup leaders have initiated sweeping reforms, including the postponement of elections, which would lead to a return to civilian rule.

A nationwide vote was due last year, but the junta extended the period of transition to democracy until July 2029, allowing leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré to remain in power and free to contest the next presidential election.

The AFP news agency quotes Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo as saying that the electoral commission was “subsidized” with around $870,000 (£650,000) a year.

Abolishing the commission would “reinforce our sovereign control on the electoral process and at the same time limit foreign influences,” he added.

After coming to power three years ago amid criticism that the civilian authorities were failing to deal with a growing Islamist insurgency, the military leaders have rejected the assistance of former colonial power France in favour of Russia.

Rights groups have since accused the army of targeting civilians in its attempt to quash the militants, as well as suppressing political activity and the freedom of expression.

There are also question marks over the effectiveness of the military operation. In the first half of 2025, jihadist group JNIM said it had carried out over 280 attacks in Burkina Faso – double the number for the same period in 2024, according to data verified by the BBC.

BBC

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Local media report that a meeting scheduled for April 22 at the headquarters of the general staff—expected to include several army officers—was first postponed and later cancelled after the invited officers failed to appear.

According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), a large number of people were seen gathering at the Mogho Naaba Palace, the seat of traditional authority in Burkina Faso. Among them were army personnel and families of missing civilians, further highlighting the growing tension in the West African country.

A cabinet meeting was also held on April 24 at the presidential palace under tight security. Sniffer dogs and helicopters were deployed in the area during the meeting.

Some military camps were placed under high alert. Military vehicles were stationed at the entrance of the General Baba Sy military camp in the southern part of the capital.

The government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré has called for mass demonstrations on April 30 in support of the regime. The main objective is to condemn what the government calls “Western interference,” particularly following accusations by U.S. General Michael Langley that Burkina Faso’s gold reserves were being diverted to fund its security apparatus.

On April 22, Burkina Faso’s military government announced it had foiled a “major plot” to overthrow the junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Authorities say they discovered the plot after intercepting communications between a high-ranking Burkinabé military officer and terrorist leaders.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana stated on national television that the conspirators included current and former soldiers, along with terrorist collaborators. He identified Captain René David Ouédraogo as one of the soldiers involved in the plan. Ouédraogo is currently on the run.

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Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said the coup attempt was led by current and former soldiers working with “terrorist leaders”. The intention was to attack the presidential palace last week, he added.

The aim of the plan was to “sow total chaos, and place the country under the supervision of an international organisation”, Sana said on state television on Monday.

It is the latest of several claims of attempts to remove the junta leader who seized power in 2022 amid increasing militant attacks.

Burkina Faso, like its Sahel neighbours, has been battling armed jihadist groups, with an estimated 40% of the country under their control

Despite promises by Capt Traoré’s military government to improve security and even seeking new security partnerships with Russia, the situation remains dire with frequent attacks from insurgents.

In this latest coup attempt, which happened last week but details of which have only just been released, Sana said the plotters attempted to use Burkinabe religious and traditional leaders to sway army officers into backing the plan.

“The manoeuvre was to culminate, according to the terrorist plotters’ plan, on Wednesday 16 April, 2025 in an assault on the presidency of (Burkina) Faso by a group of soldiers recruited by the nation’s enemies,” he said.

“The brains outside the country are all located in Ivory Coast,” he added, naming in particular two former army officers, believed to be behind the plot.

He said “sensitive information was passed on to “terrorists” to increase attacks on the military and civilians and “incite a revolt against the authorities”.

Last week, several military personnel, including two officers, were arrested for planning to “destabilise” the government, security sources told the AFP news agency.

The Ivorian authorities have not yet commented on claims it hosted the plotters but the Burkinabe junta has often blamed its southern neighbour of supporting its opponents in exile.

The latest claim comes months after Ouagadougou said it thwarted another “destabilisation” plot against the junta last November.

Burkina Faso, along with two other military-led states – Mali and Niger, has broken away from the regional West African bloc, Ecowas, to form a new alliance.

They have cut ties with former colonial power France and allied with Russia instead.

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As a sign of commitment, the Burkinabe authorities have agreed to release 23 trucks of beans, which had been earlier seized as part of the blockade. Moreover, more truckloads of other cereals destined for Ghana will be released in the coming days.

Concerns had been raised that Ghana, a significant importer of cereals from its northern neighbour, could face short-term supply disruptions and potential price hikes in local markets due to the ban.

However, after President Mahama toured the AES region, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey expressed confidence that trust between Ghana and its neighbours had been strengthened.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Blessed Sogah on Connect Africa, the Ghanaian diplomat noted: “I think President Mahama has, you know, effectively ironed that out, and further discussions between the stakeholders from the two countries will concretise what needs to be done. I think it’s settled. For instance, there was a situation with 23 trucks and eight more that were seized. The 23 trucks have been released, and they have assured President Mahama that the eight will also be released very soon.”

On Monday, January 29, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially confirmed the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, following a six-month grace period.

The statement emphasised the importance of regional solidarity, urging both member and non-member states to recognise national passports and identity cards featuring the ECOWAS logo.

When asked whether President Mahama is seeking to bridge talks between ECOWAS and AES in the context of possible negotiations for their return, Ambassador Gbevlo-Lartey indicated, “The visit of President Mahama has raised trust between Ghana and these countries.”

“And I think that, in that perspective, Ghana has a big role to play. They are very happy that they have at least one president they can trust. That’s why many believe that President John Dramani Mahama should now serve as the bridge.”

Ambassador Gbevlo-Lartey described the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger as a sovereign decision but expressed hope that future engagements could reverse their tough stance and lead to their eventual return to ECOWAS.

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Read the full statement below:

“We are always with the dead. In some battles, I’ve seen 40, 50 or 100 dead people,” one of the men told the BBC.

The three, all in their late thirties or early forties, said they had fought in Burkina Faso multiple times since 2018. They crossed the porous 550km-long (340-mile) border between the two countries, without being detected by the security forces.

They denied being primarily motivated by religion or being trained by the jihadists, saying they went to fight to defend civilian communities with whom they had strong family and ethnic ties.

“My elder brother, his wife and children were all killed by the [Burkinabe] army. It pains me a lot. The military came to their community in the forest. They killed all of them, a whole household, including 29 people,” one of the men said.

But another of the men did articulate religious zeal, saying: “If you die while fighting with the jihadists, then you are driving to jannah (an Islamic word for paradise), on the path of the righteous.”

Challenged over whether they had taken part in civilian attacks, the men were divided.

One denied doing so, but another conceded that he did.

“Some local people support the military in attacking us, that’s why we have to kill them too,” he said.

“You know… I’m not happy to fight like this. The number of people we kill, the people the military kill, it’s very bad. But this fight has entered our blood,” he added.

All three spoke on condition of anonymity.

The BBC was unable to confirm their claims but they showed us pictures of weapons, described the location of recent conflicts and named jihadist commanders in Burkina Faso.

The BBC was put in touch with the men through contacts at cattle markets in northern Ghana, where jihadist groups are alleged to be recruiting fighters.

In 2022, a France-based NGO, Promediation, said its research showed that the jihadists had recruited between 200 and 300 young Ghanaians.

And the Netherlands Institute of International Relations think-tank, in a report released last July, said the jihadists had “minimal success” recruiting in Ghana.

However, the men offered a different perspective, telling the BBC, in claims that could not be verified, that people from “all parts of Ghana” and from “many” ethnic groups were joining the insurgency in Burkina Faso.

“Some are fighting for jihad. Some are doing it for business,” one of them said.

The financial incentive comes in the form of the plentiful livestock that the jihadists steal from communities driven out of their villages.

“When we attack a community, we take their animals: sometimes 50, sometimes 100,” the BBC was told by one of the men.

The cattle are allegedly brought to northern Ghana, and sold at markets.

The trafficking across the border was confirmed to the BBC by cattle dealers.

It is thought to have become a major income stream for groups like Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate that is the most active jihadist group in Burkina Faso. It also operates in Niger and Mali.

The West African region was described by the UN last year as the epicentre of global jihadist violence.

Aid agencies say that over the last decade some two-million people have been displaced by the insurgency in Burkina Faso and tens of thousands killed.

Ninpoa Nasuri is one of the thousands who have fled to Ghana to escape the violence.

She told the BBC her husband was killed in front of her in 2024 during a raid on their village in eastern Burkina Faso by fighters from JNIM.

“They grabbed the men, and they beat them to death. My husband was a farmer. He had nothing to do with the government militia or the conflict,” she told the BBC.

Other refugees described similar acts of violence by the Burkinabe military.

“Some of the people they were killing were aged 80, aged 90. These people can’t hold a gun, can’t fight with anybody. They killed them for no reason,” Saafiya Karim said.

Ghana has so far remained largely untouched by the insurgency, although some attacks have taken place in neighbouring Togo and Ivory Coast.

In a recent statement to Ghanaian journalist Mohammed Eliasu Tanko, a man calling himself a representative of JNIM said the group had no interest in launching attacks in Ghana.

“They (JNIM fighters) are not allowed to take any action against Ghana. This is a clear and certain statement. JNIM do not seek war against Ghana,” the man, known as Ansari, said in the statement, which the BBC has seen.

However an upsurge in communal violence in one part of northern Ghana has raised concerns that the jihadists are trying to exploit the conflict to their advantage.

The town of Bawku is embroiled in a decades-long struggle between different ethnic groups for control of the local chieftaincy. More than 100 people are thought to have been killed in clashes since fighting intensified in last October.

“The evening in Bawku is always [one of] gunshots and fierce exchanges. People use AK47s, M16s, all kinds of automatic rifles,” a resident told the BBC.

JNIM smugglers are accused of selling weapons to both sides.

“We understand they are supplying weapons that they have taken from the military in Burkina Faso. They do this by relying on the trucks that travel up to Niger and back carrying onions. They hide the weapons inside those trucks,” Tanko told the BBC.

“One intelligence officer confirmed to me this was the new way they are bringing firearms in. And the Ghanaian security are ill-equipped to be able to detect these vehicles coming through, putting Ghana in a very critical situation,” he added.

Ghana’s Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah did not respond to a BBC request for comment.

President John Mahama, who took office in January after winning December’s presidential election, visited Bawku last month in an effort to promote peace between the rival groups. However, gunfights continue to be reported.

Ghana’s governing party spokesman Sammy Gyamfi told the BBC that ending the violence in Bawku was the government’s “number one priority”.

“The violence is already spreading and if care is not taken it’s likely that insurgents from the wider region can take advantage of this conflict,” he said.

The three men the BBC spoke to said they did not rule out the possibility of the insurgency spreading.

“This thing can go to any place, or to any country. It didn’t exist in Togo but now the attacks are happening there. If they can go to Togo, they can get to Ghana. This thing is strong, it’s powerful,” one of them said.

But another of the men took a cynical perspective, saying the insurgents in Burkina Faso were no longer waging an “Islamic struggle”.

“They just kill the people, and steal their livestock. What is happening is not jihad and so I do not like it,” he said.

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A press release issued by the ECOWAS Commission on Monday, January 29, confirmed that their departure had taken effect, following a six-month grace period.

The statement also emphasized the importance of regional solidarity, urging both member and non-member states to recognize national passports and identity cards featuring the ECOWAS logo.

The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) will remain in place, allowing trade between member and non-member states, while citizens of non-member countries will continue to enjoy visa-free movement and other benefits as per ECOWAS protocols.

Background

The decision for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to leave ECOWAS follows military coups.

In Mali, a military coup in August 2020 ousted the elected government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, which led to the country’s suspension from ECOWAS. Relations worsened following a second coup in 2021, resulting in Mali’s formal withdrawal from the regional body in 2022.

Burkina Faso experienced a similar trajectory, with a military coup in January 2022 followed by a second in September 2022, which further strained relations with ECOWAS and led to the country’s continued suspension.

Niger followed suit in July 2023, when President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup, prompting ECOWAS to suspend the country’s membership and impose sanctions.

While the main reason behind the departures cannot be established, many attributed it to the high cost of living, poor governance, and the daily frustrations their citizens endure in striving for sustainable lives.

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Announcing the decision, President Traoré stressed the importance of breaking away from colonial traditions and embracing practices that reflect Burkina Faso’s cultural heritage.

The ban is part of his broader push to foster national identity and assert the country’s sovereignty.

Colonial-era wigs have long been symbols of foreign influence in African legal systems.

Burkina Faso now joins other nations on the continent in discarding such relics in favor of indigenous traditions.

This decision underscores a growing trend across Africa, where countries are revisiting colonial legacies and opting for systems that resonate with their people.

It’s a symbolic step that speaks to a larger cultural renaissance sweeping the continent.

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Ahovi believes that Mahama took a significant risk with his image by hosting Traoré, considering the military leader was seen carrying a side firearm during the event.

Despite the controversy surrounding Traoré’s appearance, Ahovi explained that while carrying a firearm at such an event is generally against security protocols, it may have been a strategic gesture between the two leaders to promote a goal.

He suggested that Mahama’s actions were part of an effort to engage Traoré in peaceful negotiations and to encourage the acceptance of civilian rule in Burkina Faso, as well as the country’s potential re-entry into ECOWAS.

Ahovi highlighted Mahama’s willingness to take risks for the sake of peace-building, stating that Mahama believes in using negotiation to bring about change.

He further emphasized that the president’s approach, though controversial, could lead to positive outcomes, including the eventual removal of military rule in Burkina Faso.

According to Ahovi, Mahama’s actions also demonstrate Ghana’s broader foreign policy strategy of building peaceful relationships, regardless of the political nature of the leaders involved.

He underscored the importance of Ghana maintaining strong ties with Burkina Faso, especially given the shared interests between the two countries, such as the Volta Lake, and their mutual need for economic and security cooperation.

Ahovi further suggested that this incident underscores Mahama’s strategic decision to risk his own image and reputation in order to encourage a peaceful transition in Burkina Faso.

He pointed out that while some people may not understand Mahama’s decision, it represents his approach to engaging with world leaders, even those who are seen as controversial, to build relationships that foster peace.

“Before you can change someone’s behaviour, you cannot remain distant from them. You have to use all methods, including negotiations, so I think Mahama’s acceptance of Traoré on that podium – though many may not understand it – is a strategy he has used to encourage Traoré to accept civilian government, even at the risk of his safety,” said Ahovi.

He stressed that Mahama’s willingness to engage with military leaders is part of a broader peace-building strategy, which involves bringing different parties to the table to resolve conflicts and promote stability in the region. Ahovi also praised Mahama for his courage in engaging with Traoré, emphasizing that this could ultimately lead to a positive change in Burkina Faso’s political landscape.

In conclusion, Ahovi reiterated that Mahama’s efforts are focused on fostering harmony between Ghana and its neighbors, including Burkina Faso. He emphasized that despite the differences in political systems, it is crucial for countries in the region to collaborate and leverage each other’s resources to strengthen their economies and security, as well as uphold good governance.

“The relationship must continue, because if we are in harmony, we can leverage each other’s knowledge, resources, and everything we can put together to strengthen our nation’s economy and security, especially in terms of upholding good governance,” he concluded.

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These countries formally requested to withdraw from ECOWAS in December 2024, accusing the regional body of failing to protect and defend its members while posing a threat to their sovereignty.

The tensions followed sanctions imposed by ECOWAS on the three countries due to a series of coups and the ongoing political instability in the region.

Despite these strained relations, Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, attended the swearing-in ceremony of John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, an event also attended by ECOWAS Chairperson Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an interview with Citi News, Emmanuel Bensah urged ECOWAS to leverage Mahama’s relationship with Ibrahim Traoré to explore ways to restore peace and rebuild trust among the parties.

“It is an opportunity for President Mahama and ECOWAS to seize and see what can be done to bring them back, capitalizing on the popularity Mahama currently enjoys,” Bensah said.

“I just hope they will take the necessary steps and engage in important backdoor discussions with President Mahama and his team on what role he or his colleagues could play in facilitating the return of these countries to the bloc.”

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Three West African states ruled by military leaders have announced visa-free travel and residency rights for citizens in the 15-member regional bloc Ecowas, ahead of the trio leaving the group.

The leaders of the states – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – said the visa and residency decision had been taken in the spirit of friendship, and to strengthen centuries-old ties among African people.

The trio plan to withdraw from Ecowas in January after refusing the bloc’s demand to restore democratic rule.

Ecowas leaders are meeting in Nigeria to discuss the decision, with fears their withdrawal would be a major blow to regional unity and efforts to boost economic and security cooperation.

The dismissal of the head of government and his cabinet was announced in a decree signed by the junta leader on Friday.

The decree did not specify why the prime minister was sacked but said members of the dissolved government will continue to serve until a new cabinet is appointed.

Tambela, a civilian, was named prime minister in 2022, shortly after Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a coup.

His dismissal comes barely weeks after another civilian prime minister, Choguel Maïga, was sacked by coup leader Gen Assimi Goïta in neighbouring Mali.

It remains unclear if Capt Traoré will emulate his Malian counterpart by appointing a military official as prime minister, to maintain the junta’s grip on power.

Burkina Faso, like its Sahel neighbours, continues to face security threats from jihadist groups.

Despite promises by the military to improve security, the situation remains dire with frequent attacks from insurgents.

There are concerns that junta leaders in the Sahel are trying to prolong their stay in power, by delaying elections meant to return their countries to civilian rule.

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His comments come in the wake of a Reuters report revealing that Islamist militants fighting in Burkina Faso have been discreetly using northern Ghana as a base for logistical and medical support.

The militants have reportedly been crossing the border to stock up on supplies, including food, fuel, and explosives, while also receiving medical treatment for injured fighters.

Per the report, the authorities often turn a blind eye to the insurgents’ crossing over from neighbouring Burkina Faso to spare the country from attacks.

Reacting to this on Joy FM’s Top Story, Ambassador Adagbila refuted the claim, emphasising the strategic importance of supporting Burkina Faso in the ongoing battle against insurgents linked to groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

“Burkina Faso has been improving daily in its combating of terrorism, and we normally advise people not to move in anyhow but through the proper channels of traveling to and from Burkina Faso because you don’t know what can happen at any time,” he told host Samuel Kojo Brace on Friday.

He further warned of the wider ambitions of these terrorist groups and the potential implications for Ghana.

“One of the objectives of these insurgents or terrorists is to take control of the world. Burkina Faso is between the Sahel and Ghana, so if we don’t support Burkina Faso to win the terrorism battle and the terrorists capture Burkina Faso, which country will be their next target? Logically, Ghana will be vulnerable to terrorism.”

With Burkina Faso losing control over half its territory to the militants, Ambassador Adagbila stressed the need for regional cooperation, adding that supporting Burkina Faso is essential to preventing the spread of terrorism into Ghana and beyond.

“Burkina Faso, for us, is fighting terrorism, and we need to support them so that they can win that fight. Security-wise, we can be preventive and proactive,” he concluded.

The ambassador’s remarks highlight the growing threat of terrorism in the region and the urgent need for Ghana to reinforce its border security and actively engage in counterterrorism efforts with its northern neighbour.

Unlike Togo and Benin, Ghana has not experienced a major terrorist attack, but the risk of insurgency spreading into the country remains a serious concern.

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The new passport, equipped with an electronic chip, allows for advanced data collection and storage, with enhanced security features. “This new document enables online pre-registration, flexible registration whether online or offline, and instant data transmission to embassies,” explained Security Minister Mahamadou Sana.

The minister confirmed that existing passports will remain valid until their expiration, while applicants for the new biometric version will pay a fee of 50,000 West African CFA francs ($84.46). However, additional services linked to the new passport may incur extra charges, he noted.

The passport, made from polycarbonate, was developed by the Chinese company Emptech, according to Parfait Loure, head of the National Identification Office (ONI). Loure highlighted that Burkina Faso is the first West African nation and the 10th in Africa to adopt this state-of-the-art identification technology, in line with international civil aviation standards. The move comes after a process that began in 2022.

The new passport follows Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from ECOWAS in 2023, alongside Mali and Niger, after the regional bloc threatened military intervention in response to a coup in Niger. The three nations have since formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and established a joint military force to address security challenges posed by terrorist groups in the region.

Source: GraphicOnline

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In April of this year, the trucks were initially detained by Burkinabe Customs (Douanes) on suspicion of transporting prohibited goods from Ghana into Burkina Faso.

In June 2024, the GSA intervened in the detention of twenty trucks carrying unwholesome cargo, flagged by Burkinabe authorities, after Joint Association of Port Transport Unions-Ghana’s (JAPTU-Ghana) efforts to resolve the issue proved unsuccessful.”

To resolve the issue, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) and the Ministry of Transport held a series of stakeholder meetings at the Dakola border and Tema port, and collaborated with its Burkinabe counterpart, the Conseil Burkinabe Des Chargeurs (CBC), to secure the release of the detained trucks.

On August 20, 2024, Frederick Atogiyire, Northern Zonal Manager of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), led a team to meet with Dr. Kassoum Traore, Director General of the Conseil Burkinabe Des Chargeurs (CBC), and his team to discuss the detained trucks.

Dr. Traore clarified that under Burkinabe law, unwholesome cargo can result in the confiscation of both the cargo and trucks. He assured the team that progress was being made and that an out-of-court settlement had been reached with the shipper, paving the way for the trucks’ prompt release.

In a media briefing in Tamale, Frederick Atogiyire, Northern Zonal Manager of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), announced that the Burkinabe Customs had efficiently processed the trucks for departure, enabling them to resume their journey to Ouagadougou on 25th August 2024, and subsequently return to Ghana on August 29, 2024.

Mr. Atogiyire expressed his appreciation for the Burkinabe Authorities’ concerted efforts in facilitating the trucks’ release.

The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) with support from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has secured the release of six Ghanaian cargo trucks detained at the Dakola border in Burkina Faso.

In April of this year, the trucks were initially detained by Burkinabe Customs (Douanes) on suspicion of transporting prohibited goods from Ghana into Burkina Faso.

In June 2024, the GSA intervened in the detention of twenty trucks carrying unwholesome cargo, flagged by Burkinabe authorities, after Joint Association of Port Transport Unions-Ghana’s (JAPTU-Ghana) efforts to resolve the issue proved unsuccessful.”

To resolve the issue, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) and the Ministry of Transport held a series of stakeholder meetings at the Dakola border and Tema port, and collaborated with its Burkinabe counterpart, the Conseil Burkinabe Des Chargeurs (CBC), to secure the release of the detained trucks.

On August 20, 2024, Frederick Atogiyire, Northern Zonal Manager of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), led a team to meet with Dr. Kassoum Traore, Director General of the Conseil Burkinabe Des Chargeurs (CBC), and his team to discuss the detained trucks.

Dr. Traore clarified that under Burkinabe law, unwholesome cargo can result in the confiscation of both the cargo and trucks. He assured the team that progress was being made and that an out-of-court settlement had been reached with the shipper, paving the way for the trucks’ prompt release.

In a media briefing in Tamale, Frederick Atogiyire, Northern Zonal Manager of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), announced that the Burkinabe Customs had efficiently processed the trucks for departure, enabling them to resume their journey to Ouagadougou on 25th August 2024, and subsequently return to Ghana on August 29, 2024.

Mr. Atogiyire expressed his appreciation for the Burkinabe Authorities’ concerted efforts in facilitating the trucks’ release.

Source: Joy Business

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He highlighted the importance of Ghana’s strong ties with Burkina Faso and other neighbouring countries, emphasizing that these relationships should have been considered before implementing such a ban, as it could have significant repercussions if not carefully managed.

During a press briefing in Accra on Monday, August 26, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, announced the ban due to a dry spell affecting Northern Ghana.

The ban aims to ensure a steady supply of grains for the domestic market.

In an interview with Accra-based Citi News, Ambassador Gambila remarked, “I wasn’t consulted. The Minister is working with his figures and believes that a temporary or total ban may be the solution. However, I wish this had been discussed before the decision was made. I’m not sure if there was any coordination with neighbouring countries.

“We are supposed to follow a policy of good neighbourliness, so it’s crucial to discuss and find joint solutions. These issues seriously affect people across borders, and ministers from both sides should collaborate to address them.

“Acting independently can lead to division and retaliation. That’s why I believe cross-border discussions are essential.

“As someone who has studied economics and agriculture, I know that in times of such challenges, import and export controls are necessary to avoid problems within ECOWAS and the AU. I’m not sure if we’ve assessed the quantities of produce that come from Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ivory Coast into Ghana or if we’ve examined the relevant data,” he stated.

Source: Adomonline

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Mr Mahama criticized President Akufo-Addo for allegedly damaging the relationship, leading to what he describes as “diplomatic tension” despite the President’s efforts to address the issue.

During a media interaction in the Upper East Region, Mahama emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries, particularly in the context of addressing terror threats from the Sahel region.

He used a local proverb to illustrate the need for vigilance and cooperation: “When your neighbour’s beard is on fire, you fetch water and put it by your beard because it can spread to your own.”

“We know what is happening in Burkina Faso, and we should be working closer with our comrades in Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, this government has created tension between us and Burkina Faso because our President went to open his mouth too widely, gossiping about your neighbour, so it has created some diplomatic tension.

“When government changes, we have to go and talk to our neighbours because we must work together. I think that we must improve our relationship,” he said.

He underscored the necessity of working closely with Burkina Faso to improve relations and address mutual security concerns.

Additionally, Mahama called for strengthened borders, increased surveillance, and enhanced security measures to prevent potential spillovers from regional conflicts.

He urged the government to resolve the Bawku crisis promptly as part of these efforts.

President Akufo-Addo, while speaking to reporters alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, December 11, alleged that Burkina Faso had hired Russian mercenaries and that Burkina Faso had offered Wagner a mine as payment.

“Today, Russian mercenaries are on our northern border. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there,” Akufo-Addo had said, adding that it was a distressing development for Ghana.

After the comments, Burkina Faso summoned Ghana’s Ambassador on Friday, December 13, for “explanations.”

In a statement issued after the meeting with the Ambassador, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Ministry said it had “expressed disapproval” about the statements made by the Ghanaian President.

“Ghana could have undertaken exchanges with the Burkinabe authorities on the security issue in order to have the right information,” it said.

To resolve the issue, the National Security Minister, Mr Kan-Dapaah led a high-level delegation from Ghana, which also included security chiefs and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to Burkina Faso to settle the issue.

The two countries have subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to work in fighting terrorism in the West Africa Region.

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Commenting for the first time since the assault, Traore did not address a claim of responsibility by an al Qaeda-linked group but said Burkina Faso had launched an operation after the attack and sent reinforcement troops.

Some media outlets and activists had been speculating about whether Traore was safe after gunfire was heard close to the presidency, and a rocket shell fell near state-run RTB Television’s headquarters in the capital Ouagadougou on June 12.

“It’s absolutely not the case. We are here,” Traore told people gathered in front of RTB’s headquarters, denying mutiny allegations. “The incident happened while we were at the council of ministers.”

He said a rocket was launched into RTB’s courtyard by mistake by those who were there to protect the TV channel’s staff, adding that nobody died although some were injured.

In the past week, planes carrying Russian reinforcements and some Malian officials were dispatched to bolster Traore’s security after talks between the two countries’ juntas, two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters.

The reports point to the close ties between the neighbouring junta-led states and their growing reliance on Russia rather than Western powers for security support in a West African region beset by political instability and Islamist insurgencies.

A Russian-registered cargo plane made seven trips to Ouagadougou from Gao and Bamako in Mali between June 15 and June 18, according to a Reuters analysis of flight tracking data on FlightRadar24.

In his address, Traore said six Russian planes had flown from Gao carrying U.N. equipment following the conclusion of a mission there.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A day before the events in Ouagadougou, the West African Sahel nation’s army suffered one of the deadliest attacks in Mansila area. Responsibility for that attack was claimed by Al Qaeda affiliate Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) group.

The SITE Intelligence Group quoted a JNIM statement as saying that “fighters stormed a military post in the town, where they killed 107 soldiers and took control of the site”.

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“The duration of the transition is fixed at 60 months from July 2, 2024,” Colonel Moussa Diallo, chairman of the organising committee of the national dialogue process, said after the talks on Saturday.

The new charter was signed during what was originally a two-day national dialogue that began earlier on Saturday, ostensibly to chart a way back to civilian rule in the country rocked by political violence.

The military seized power in a 2022 coup and had promised to hold elections in July of this year to restore civilian rule, but it also said security considerations would take priority.

“The elections marking the end of the transition may be organised before this deadline if the security situation so permits,” the new charter, signed by military leader Ibrahim Traore, states.

The charter also allows Traore to run for president when the elections take place.

Under the new accord, quotas will also no longer be used to assign members of traditional parties seats in the assembly. Instead, “patriotism” will be deemed the only criterion for selecting deputies.

Civil society representatives, security and defence forces and lawmakers in the transitional assembly took part in the talks in Ouagadougou, boycotted by many political parties.

The delay is likely to deepen concerns about democratic backsliding in Western and Central Africa, a region which has seen eight coups over the past four years.

In Burkina Faso, armed groups have waged a rebellion since 2015 that has killed thousands and displaced millions. The military government in the country has struggled to address its security challenges – the reason it said it took over power in September 2022.

The government has severed military ties with former colonial ruler France and turned to Russia instead for security support. About half of Burkina Faso’s territory remains outside of government control.

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Ghana was defeated 2-1 by the Stallions at the University of Ghana Stadium, exiting the WAFU B U-17 Africa Cup of Nations at the semifinal stage.

After Burkina Faso took an early lead, Joseph Narbi equalized for Ghana in the first half. However, Asharaf Tapsoba’s brace proved decisive.

A costly miscommunication between Ghana’s goalkeeper Michael Armah and a defender allowed Tapsoba to capitalize, firing the ball into an empty net to put the Stallions ahead.

Despite conceding, Laryea Kingston’s side responded well, maintaining possession and creating several scoring opportunities that ultimately lacked the final touch.

Ghana’s equalizer came in the 27th minute, when Joseph Narbi’s curling shot found the top right corner. The Starlets continued to press, with Abdulai Nortey’s long ball setting up Benjamin Tsevanyo, who assisted Narbi’s third goal of the tournament.

Godfred Sarpong nearly gave Ghana the lead, but his effort narrowly missed, while Burkina Faso also squandered a clear chance to regain their advantage. The teams went into halftime level at 1-1.

Just three minutes into the second half, Burkina Faso retook the lead. Tapsoba made a well-timed run between Ghana’s center-backs and struck a low shot past Armah to make it 2-1.

Ghana fought hard to equalize but struggled to break through Burkina Faso’s defense.

Despite their efforts, Kingston’s team fell short, ending the match with a 2-1 defeat.

This loss means Ghana will not secure a spot in the next edition of the U-17 AFCON, with Burkina Faso continuing their journey at Ghana’s expense.

Ghana’s U-17 team will face Burkina Faso for a spot in the tournament’s final.

Previously, Burkina Faso dashed Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the U-17 AFCON with a narrow 1-0 victory.

Ahead of the match, the former Ghana international emphasized that revenge is not their motivation.

“Revenge? No! That’s not what we are thinking about,” Kingston told the Ghana FA website.

“We have not been to the AFCON since our last appearance in 2017 and so we have a responsibility to return to the tournament. We are playing Burkina Faso and we’ll approach it as one of the games requiring a different mentality but not because we want revenge.”

The match between Ghana and Burkina Faso will take place at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, with kick-off set for 16:00 GMT.

Ghana advanced to the semifinals with a win over Benin, while Burkina Faso secured their spot with a narrow 1-0 victory against Niger.

This match was held on Thursday, May 23, following a postponement caused by heavy rainfall the previous day.

Burkina Faso’s win placed them second in Group B, level on points with Nigeria but behind on goal difference.

This semifinal clash will be a rematch of last year’s encounter at the same stage of the competition in Cape Coast, where the Stallions defeated Ghana 1-0, ending the Starlets’ bid to reach the final.

Under the leadership of coach Laryea Kingston, Ghana will be looking for revenge and aiming to secure a place in the final, which would also ensure their participation in the next edition of the U-17 AFCON.

In the other semifinal, Nigeria will face off against Cote d’Ivoire.

In the report based on its own investigation, the rights watchdog said the West African country’s military summarily executed about 223 villagers, including at least 56 children, in February as part of a campaign against civilians accused of collaborating with jihadist militants.

HRW said the Burkinabe army has repeatedly committed mass atrocities against civilians in the name of fighting terrorism, and it called on authorities to investigate the massacres.

The country’s communication council said HRW’s report contained “peremptory and tendentious” declarations against the army likely to create public disorder, and it would suspend the programmes of the broadcasters over their coverage of the story.

Authorities also said in a statement they had ordered internet service providers to suspend access to the websites and other digital platforms of the BBC, VOA and Human Rights Watch from Burkina Faso.

“The BBC has received a letter from the Conseil Superieur De La Communication confirming the suspension of our broadcast operations in Burkina Faso for two weeks in direct response to our journalism on a recent report by Human Rights Watch accusing Burkina Faso’s military of civilian killings,” a BBC spokesperson said.

“The suspension reduces the BBC’s ability to reach audiences with independent and accurate news. We will continue to report on the region in the public interest and without fear or favour.”

In a statement, acting VOA Director John Lippman asked Burkina Faso’s government to reconsider its “troubling” decision.

“VOA stands by its reporting about Burkina Faso and intends to continue to fully and fairly cover events in that country,” he said.

HRW conducted its investigation after a regional prosecutor said in March that about 170 people were executed by unidentified assailants during attacks on the villages of Komsilga, Nodin and Soro.

“We are deeply disturbed by reports of the killing of large numbers of civilians, including children… in an overall context of fighting between armed groups and Burkinabe forces,” the U.N. human rights office said in a statement, adding that it was also concerned by the temporary suspension of the two media outlets.

Burkina Faso is one of several Sahel nations that have been struggling to contain Islamist insurgencies linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State that have spread from neighbouring Mali since 2012, killing thousands and displacing millions.

Frustration over authorities’ failure to protect civilians has contributed to two coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger since 2020.

According to the Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia, commercial activities and private developers were encroaching on the buffer zone and the international boundary line.

This, he explained, poses a threat to the environment and security.

Speaking to JoyNews on April 5, he stated that the commission is considering the possibility of erecting a fence spanning about four kilometres or more along the boundary line at Paga to tackle this problem.

“We have built-up areas surrounding the boundary pillars, which is against international law, so this is very fundamental, and we need to see how best we can resolve it. As a result, we invited our Burkinabe counterpart to come, and we would have a firsthand observation. We would walk through and see practically what is happening, and we would be able to see how we would litigate that problem.”

Commenting on the encroachment, the outgoing Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, explained that the encroachment of the international boundary line and buffer zones is not isolated to Paga but in other places in other parts of the region.

He stressed that about a year ago, the government resolved an encroachment issue in Pusiga.

“For example, in Bawku West, in fact, some of the buildings have buildings that are half in Burkina Faso and half in Ghana, and then we have Kulungugu, a similar thing there, and we also have Pusiga.

“The boundary commission, after here, needs to look at this area that I have mentioned so that together with Burkina Faso, we realign things and make sure that we do not get to where we are again,” he said.

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This development was met with mixed feelings in the sub-region as while others were excited, many received it with fear, panic and anguished.

Those who expressed joy solidarized with leadership and population of these countries on ground of their legitimate concerns including neglect, unfair treatment, abandonment in times of need in the face of terrorism attacks and threats.

Also bizarre was sanctions place on them without regards to the mode of the population and humanitarian consequences.

This posture demonstrated a complete absence of the spirit of ECOWAS brotherhood and the bloc ignored the causes and / unconstitutional behaviour of the civilian regimes resulting in the military take over and focused on the unconstitutional rule of the military.

In the view of member states and their population, it’s amounted to endorsing bad governance, abuse of public trust, basic principles underpinning the sub regional bloc and complete dictatorship which is affront to democracy.

For those of us who felt sad about their exist, our concerns were largely the immediate, medium to long term consequences such as insecurity resulting from further terrorist threat, possible lack of intelligence sharing, hunger and starvation within the region because of a possible retaliation to the sanctions ECOWAS imposed on those military leaders.

A likely retaliatory measure might be a trade ban and /or restrictions on certain Agric produce such as pepper, onion, tomatoes, etc including animal and their products.

Theses countries have comparative advantage of these crops than any other west African country and the sub region must watch out.

What is rather curious is the laxity and manner in which ECOWAS didn’t see this coming and likely consequences to its population and bloc.

In the view of LACPSA GHANA, the early warning signals were clear and required remorseful preventive diplomacy for the purposes of the interest of the population and common ECOWAS brotherhood.

Their exit has left the already vulnerable sub regional body further troubled . If ECOWAS cant see this coming, we will doubtful the sincerity of that because it didn’t require much to know, feel and notice that trouble was knocking at the doors of Heads of state and authority of government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

They either ignored the signs or call their blof. Either of them was a mistake and will impact the stability and authority of the regional group for a very long to come.

Partly because the control and command structure of the ECOWAS authority is broken down and it will be hard to tell which country will be next to follow (exist) and all the ongoing and exit diplomatic efforts, mediation and other accords with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has come to nothing now.

The joint communique sent out to Heads of state and authority of government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the ECOWAS Commission and their failure to take every step to keep the union and /or brotherhood together amounts to reneging on their responsibilities to the states and the population of West Africa.

This brings to sharp focus the immediate implications of the ECOWAS brotherhood which exist within and between these countries in the sharp region.

It is going to be uncordial, in the area of business and movements within and between the 3 countries.

Aside compulsory visa acquisitions and work permits requirements, a lot of protocols will change and the various ambassadorial office will have to be adjusted to meet the new protocol demands.

It’s interesting to be treated by your own brother like a stranger in the case of the new relationship between ECOWAS and the breakaway team. It’s obvious that our diplomatic relationship with the 3 countries in the immediate pass will depend larges on their business and trade relations with ECOWAS.

This is so crucial because the 3 countries are hardworking in the area of Agric and countries like Ghana, and few others in the subregion depend on the for basic ideas like onions, tomatoes, pepper .

They have comparative advantage when it comes to these business and. Until Ghana and her peers engage in an aggressive production of these products, the 3 countries will continue to determine the direction of trade to the disadvantage of the states and populations..

Also, the exist of these 3 countries has left the sub regional group more vulnerable in the area of joint security operations and organized crime in the common interest of the stability of the region.

This is because the new bloc will depend, assert, relate and share a lot in common with their newly found external friends which might not express same vision and objective with their former ECOWAS brothers.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced the formation of the force following talks in the Nigerien capital Niamey.

Niger’s army chief Moussa Salaou Barmou announced it would be operational as soon as possible, without giving details of its size.

Groups linked to both Islamic State and al-Qaeda have killed thousands of people in the region in the past year.

The military regimes in the three countries have become increasingly close allies in recent months.

Last September, they formed a mutual defence pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), withdrawing from an international force, G5, that was set up to fight Islamists in the region.

Violence in West Africa’s Sahel region has worsened in recent years despite the military governments’ promises to deal with the decade-long conflict with jihadist groups.

The three countries have all severed their ties with France, the former colonial power, which for years had a strong military presence across the Sahel.

A UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, Minusma, that had been in place for over a decade was also ordered by the country’s leaders to withdraw “without delay”, and completed the exit in December.

The military regimes have strengthened ties with Russia, which has moved in to fill the void.

They have also announced they were leaving the West African economic bloc Ecowas.

They had already been suspended from the bloc, which has been urging the military regimes to ensure a quick return to democratic rule and imposed travel and economic sanctions on them.

Some of the sanctions were last month lifted or eased as Ecowas pushed for dialogue.

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Aly Benjamin Coulibaly appealed for witnesses to help find those who attacked Komsilga, Nordin and Soro.

Separately, army chiefs warned of the increased risk of attacks by militants, “including attacks on urban centres”.

The country’s army seized power in 2022, but more than a third of Burkina Faso is controlled by insurgents.

Mr Coulibaly said he had launched an investigation into the village attacks in Yatenga province on 25 February.

The AFP news agency reported that dozens of women and children were among the dead.

It was not known which group was behind the attacks.

They are not believed to be related to other recent violence – attacks on a church as well as a mosque and army bases – elsewhere in the country.

On Friday, the country’s army chief warned soldiers to stay vigilant due to an increased risk of suicide attacks by militants.

He said there were also “fears of a series of large-scale attacks” against security forces in cities.

Humanitarian workers say Burkina Faso is one of the world’s most-neglected crises.

Years of rampant insecurity has forced more than two million people from their homes, and the UN estimates that a quarter of all children under five have stunted growth resulting from hunger.

The military seized power two years ago promising to win the battle against rebels, yet the violence continues.

“The epicentre of terrorism has now conclusively shifted out of the Middle East and into the central Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa,” said the Institute for Economics and Peacepicentere earlier this week.

The Sahel includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger among other nations.

It took place during Sunday worship in Essakane village in Oudalan province – close to the border with Mali. Few details have been given.

A church official indicated the gunmen were suspected Islamist militants.

There was no immediate response from the authorities in the West African country’s capital, Ouagadougou.

A statement by the head of the local diocese, Abbot Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, said 12 people were killed instantly, while three others died at the hospital.

“In this painful circumstance, we invite you to pray for those who died in faith, for the healing of the wounded, and for the consolidation of grieving hearts,” the statement reads.

It the latest atrocity in the country to be attributed to Islamist militants.

More than a third of Burkina Faso is currently under the control of insurgents.

The authorities have been battling Islamist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which have taken over large swathes of land and displaced millions of people in the Sahel region.

In the last three years, churches have been targeted and scores of worshippers killed.

Burkina Faso, which is ruled by a military dictatorship, recently pulled out of the regional political and economic bloc, Ecowas, along with its Sahel neighbours, Mali and Niger.

They cited lack of support from Ecowas in the fight against terrorism as one of the reasons for wanting to exit the union.

The three junta-led countries had already been suspended from the bloc, which had been urging them to return to democratic rule.

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso’s military-backed president Ibrahim Traoré said Russian troops could deploy to fight jihadists in the West African country if needed.

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An own goal from Edmond Tapsoba gave the Eagles a third-minute lead, and Mali had several chances to add to their advantage before half-time.

Lassine Sinayoko did make it 2-0 early in the second half with a finish through the legs of goalkeeper Herve Koffi, but Bertrand Traore pulled a goal back for the Stallions from the penalty spot just before the hour mark.

Issoufou Dayo thought he had equalised for the Burkinabe in the final minute, but his header from a free-kick was ruled out for offside and Mali saw out eight minutes of added time.

The Eagles have reached the last eight for the first time since 2013, and Eric Chelle’s side will now face the Ivorians on Saturday (17:00 GMT) for a place in the semi-finals.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso “decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal” from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), read a joint statement published on Sunday.

ECOWAS “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its population”, read the statement.

The three countries accused the regional body of failing to support their fight against “terrorism and insecurity”, while imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions”.

Ties between the three nations and ECOWAS have been strained since military power grabs took place in Mali in 2020 and 2021, in Burkina Faso in 2022 and in Niger in 2023.

The regional body reacted by suspending all three countries and imposed heavy sanctions on Niger and Mali.

On Friday, Niger tried to amend ties with ECOWAS by inviting its representatives to the capital Niamey, but only representation from Togo showed up.

“There is bad faith within this organisation,” lamented Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, Niger’s army-appointed prime minister.

Military leaderships in the three nations have vowed to tackle the rise of violent armed groups in their countries and have joined forces in the so-called “Alliance of Sahel States”.

The three countries have cut military ties with France, the former colonial power. France once had a strong presence across the Sahel, but announced the withdrawal of its troops from the three countries after the coups.

The French military withdrawal and economic sanctions on already fragile economies have heightened concern that armed groups could spread southwards towards the relatively stable coastal countries of Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast.

West Africa recorded more than 1,800 attacks in the first six months of 2023, resulting in nearly 4,600 deaths and creating dire humanitarian consequences. According to an ECOWAS top regional official, this was just “a snippet of the horrendous impact of insecurity”.

Mabululu headed in Fredy’s free-kick nine minutes before the break to put the Palancas Negras ahead.

Burkina Faso winger Dango Ouattara forced a save from Neblu but Zine made sure of the points with a close-range finish in stoppage time.

Both sides had been certain of progress before kick-off because of other results in the final round of games.

Burkina Faso ended their group campaign in second place after Mauritania eliminated Algeria by beating the 2019 champions 1-0.

Angola will face a third-placed side from Group E or F in the last 16 on Saturday, while Burkina Faso will take on the Group E winners next Tuesday.

Angola came into the finals as the lowest-ranked side in Group D at 117th in the world, but grabbed a draw against Algeria in their opening game before a thrilling 3-2 win over Mauritania on Saturday set the platform for qualification.

The southern Africans have reached the knockout stages for the first time since 2010, when they hosted the tournament and exited in the quarter-finals.

Mohamed Konate’s opening goal for Burkina Faso was cancelled out by a first Bounedjah equaliser, but a Bertrand Traore penalty put the Stallions back in front to the delight of their many supporters in the crowd of over 33,000 in Bouake, Ivory Coast’s second city.

At that point Burkina Faso were heading through, but Bounedjah equalised a second time at the death to take his overall tally of goals to three and join Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea as the tournament’s joint-top scorer.

Burkina Faso, the 2013 Cup of Nations runners-up who reached the semi-finals at the last edition in Cameroon two years ago, have four points from two games in Group D and remain on course to qualify for the knockout phase before facing Angola next.

Algeria, who were held 1-1 by Angola in their opening game, have two points and a win against Mauritania on Tuesday will suffice for them to advance.

They needed Bounedjah’s late goal, however, to stave off the spectre of a repeat of two years ago, when Djamel Belmadi’s team went to Cameroon as reigning African champions but were knocked out in the group stage with just one point and one goal scored.

Nevertheless, Riyad Mahrez and his teammates clearly struggled in the sapping mid-afternoon heat and will welcome having an evening kick-off in their final group outing.

Burkina Faso, whose French coach Hubert Velud has previously worked at several Algerian clubs, went ahead three minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Russian-based striker Konate, playing off the shoulder of the last defender, threw himself at a terrific ball into the box from deep on the left flank and headed home. The goal was given after a VAR check confirmed he was onside.

Algeria drew level six minutes after the restart as Bounedjah turned the ball in from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

Yet Burkina Faso were awarded a penalty midway through the second half after a VAR review showed that Rayan Ait-Nouri had kicked the shin of Issa Kabore in the box when trying to make a clearance.

On as a substitute, Aston Villa forward Traore converted the penalty, just as he had done to give Burkina Faso a 1-0 win over Mauritania in their first match.

Algeria responded by withdrawing wingers Mahrez and Youcef Belaili, before being rescued by Bounedjah’s 95th-minute header.

Burkina Faso held most of the ball during the first 10 minutes of the match, however, it was Mauritania who produced the first attempt at goal.

In latching onto a loose ball outside the area, Aboubakary Koita’s looping shot was saved easily by Herve Koffi in goal.

The Stallions continued to press on and forced Mauritania back into their own half on numerous occasions.

Adama Guira came close to opening the scoring in the 25th minute, with his snapshot on the edge of the area whistling over the crossbar.

Mauritania were awarded a free-kick in an inviting position at the half-hour mark, with Koita summoning Koffi into action yet again.

Mourabitounes enjoyed large spells of ball possession after the half-hour mark and provided the Burkina Faso defence with a couple of worrisome moments.

However, Burkina Faso looked lively toward the end of the half but were met by aggressive defending by their opposite numbers.

Burkina Faso looked bright at the restart with Stephane Aziz Ki being the attacker-in-chief for his nation.

After a clever bit of play on the right-hand flank, Ki whipped into a teasing cross that forced a telling save out of goalkeeper Babacar Niasse.

The game reached a tacky period as the 75th minute approached with neither side able to create any notable goal-scoring opportunities.

However, Koffi sprung to Burkina Faso’s rescue after pulling off a stunning save from a powerful Koita shot on the edge of the 18-yard area.

At the other end of the pitch Niasse carved out a top-drawer save from a curling effort by Bertrand Traore after a darting run on the right wing.

In a dramatic turn of events, Burkina Faso were awarded a penalty during stoppage time after the VAR officials spotted an infringement inside the area.

Stepping up the plate, Traore made no mistake from the spot in giving his side the lead and also the eventual winner.

Burkina Faso will now turn their attention to Algeria on 20 January, while Mauritania will face Angola on the same day.

Over 40 vehicles stopped and filled the potholes and gullies that had developed on most parts of the road posing a threat to the drivers and increasing the cost of maintaining their vehicles.

The drivers blocked the Nandom, Wa stretch of the road as well as the Han – Tumu section for all vehicles to stop and participate in a voluntary filling and patching of the deteriorated portion while others parted away some monies in solidarity with the action, which took about two hours.

Benin Yakubu, a businessman who uses the road regularly told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Jeffissi in the Sissala West District that the drivers got so frustrated with the situation of the road after a series of accidents and the many gullies that had developed on the road, which made transportation of goods from the Southern part of Ghana extremely difficult and time-wasting to cart.

Mr Yakubu said the action left over forty vehicles both from Tumu and Han parked to participate in the action.

He said “I paid GH¢20.00 as my support and still helped in carrying stones from the nearby bush to fill some of the potholes, which had become very deep and left many drivers complaining of break down and damages to their shocks and tyres. In the process of helping, I nearly got bitten by a snake under a stone”.

He called on the members of Parliament of the Sissala East and Sissala West to initiate the process of leading the youth and drivers to demonstrate to the government about the seeming neglect of the Tumu-Han-Bolga towards Burkina-Faso highway where several truckloads of goods are transported on weekly basis.

Mr Sule Issah who drives from Techiman weekly said in 2012, the road from Han to Jeffisi was a bit motorable but that due to neglect, the road had deteriorated.

“Coming through to Tumu has been so difficult since independence meanwhile it’s a border town, since last week I spent close to GH¢5,600 on tyres and other parts of my truck, the government must do something since transporting goods is our livelihood”, he said.

“This is the road from Wa to Tumu, cars cannot even move, and drivers themselves have to go down and carry stones to fill potholes, it’s pathetic”, Mr Mohammed Issah, a driver said.

 Some of the drivers also questioned whether the people in the Sissala area took part in the national election since the Sissala enclave had been totally neglected.

 A trade who identified himself as Aziz said, “Look, the vehicles are stacked in the dry season and they cannot even move, it means in the rainy season it will be serious, if the roads are tarred we can even come from Techiman to Tumu to Ougadougu twice in a week and this will create work for the youth”.

He has therefore appealed to the government to pay attention to the Sissala roads.

The haulage of goods from Ghana to Ouagadougou through Tumu involves fruits, tubers, detergents, gari, and dawadawa, whilst animals, millet, and sorghum are carried into Ghana.

The Tumu-Wa highway construction was given to some five contractors in 2023 to ensure early completion but only two out of the five contractors namely Marippona Limited and  Ashcal Limited are on site in Lilixia and Pulima respectively whilst Ghanem Construction Limited on the other hand has commenced applying bitumen from Mwankuri towards Han.

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It is the junta’s latest move to align itself with Russia after falling out with most of its Western partners.

The junta has turned to Russia for economic and military support since it seized power last year.

Burkina Faso is one of the least electrified countries globally, with only 21% of people connected to power.

The new deal with Russia is a culmination of talks the Burkinabe military ruler, Capt Ibrahim Traore, had with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July during the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow.

Capt Traore requested President Putin’s support in setting up a nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso, which he said would help meet the country’s energy demands and those of neighbouring countries.

“We have a critical need for energy, this is an important point for me because we need, if possible, to build a nuclear power station in Burkina Faso to produce electricity,” he was quoted as saying at the time.

“Our position is rather strategic because we are in the heart of West Africa and we have an energy deficit in the sub-region.”

The deal is part of Burkina Faso’s target to achieve 95% electricity access for urban areas and 50% for rural areas by 2030.

Burkina Faso gets most of its electricity from biofuels like charcoal and wood while oil products account for one-third of the total energy supply, according to the International Energy Agency.

According to the US development agency USAid, Burkina Faso also has one of the highest electricity costs in Africa.

South Africa is currently the only African state that produces nuclear power commercially, but increasingly more nations on the continent are moving in the same direction.

Russia is helping Egypt to build a nuclear power plant at cost of $30bn (£24bn) following a deal signed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and President Putin in 2017.

Russia also signed a deal to build power plants in Nigeria in the same year, but the project is yet to begin.

Kenya has also announced plans to build its first nuclear power plant by 2027, but it is still to decide on its international partner.

In September this year, Rwanda announced that it had opted for Canadian-German company Dual Fluid Energy to build a nuclear reactor by 2028.

The Rwandan government said the reactor will be instrumental to meet the central African country’s energy demands and “build resilience” as a result of climate change.

Although access to energy has increased in sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, it still remains low, with more than 50% of the region’s population still lacking access to electricity, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).

It alleged that officers and others had planned to destabilise the country and throw it into chaos.

It has been almost a year since the interim President Capt Ibrahim Traoré seized power.

That was the country’s second coup of 2022, which took place amid a growing Islamist insurgency.

In a statement read out on television on Wednesday evening, the authorities said some arrests had been made and they were actively pursuing other suspects, without giving specific details. The military prosecutor has since said that four officers have been detained.

It said the alleged perpetrators “had the sinister intention of attacking the institutions of the republic and plunging the country into chaos”.

Hours earlier, Capt Traoré had issued a statement saying he was “determined to safely lead the transition [to democracy] despite adversity and the various maneuvers to stop our inexorable march towards assumed sovereignty”. He also thanked pro-junta supporters for “their vigilance”.

The junta has said elections will take place by July next year.

On Tuesday, rumours of a brewing mutiny led hundreds of people to take to the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, in support of the junta.

On the same day, the authorities suspended the French-language news magazine Jeune Afrique, accusing it of publishing articles discrediting the armed forces.

The widespread jihadist insurgency, which spilled over from neighbouring Mali in 2015, has complicated plans to hand over power to civilians by next year.

About 6,000 people have been killed this year alone in jihadist attacks, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled).

Since taking power, Capt Traoré has moved to cut links to France, the former colonial power.

He ordered French forces based in the country to help tackle the Islamist insurgency to leave, and launched mass recruitment drives to reinforce the security forces.

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali – three neighboring countries all threatened by jihadist forces and where the army has seized power in the past year – established a defence pact in a bid to support each other against any armed rebellion or external aggression.

The three states are all ruled by military groups, following coups that have led to fears for the future of democracy in the region.

Mali’s leader announced on Saturday, the signing of a charter, establishing the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

“The objective sought by the charter is the creation of an architecture of collective defence, and mutual support between the contracting parties,” the document said.

Under the charter, the parties pledge to fight terrorism and organized crime, it says. “Any violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more Contracting Parties, shall be considered as aggression against the other Contracting Parties, and shall oblige all Contracting Parties to provide assistance and redress … including the use of armed force.”

Burkina Faso’s interim president, Ibrahim Traoré, and Niger’s de facto leader Abdourahmane Tchiani, were also present at the signing of the document, photos released on Saturday showed.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have long struggled with Islamist terror groups, that carry out bloody attacks against civilians and increasingly control of the territory.

Meanwhile, all three nations have seen political turbulence, most recently, Niger, where the military took power in July. There was a coup in Burkina Faso last year, and Mali’s most recent coup was in 2021.

Mali and Burkina Faso sided with the country’s new leaders, after Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened military intervention to restore order, sparking instability in the region.

All three states are also pivoting away from former colonial power France, which previously provided military aid and anti-terror support.

Mali increasingly works with Russia’s Wagner mercenaries, to maintain order and fight terror.

The security situation is now seen as more precarious in the three nations. The number of attacks in Mali may grow, as the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA prepares to withdraw by the end of the year, and there is also the threat of a renewed conflict with the Tuareg, a separatist group.

Niger, the last democratic partner of the US and European states in the region, has also largely suspended cooperation with foreign partners since the coup.

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Speaking on The Probe on JoyNews, Mr Padi said that his outfit has registered over 3,000 refugees from the neighbouring country and is still in the process of registering more.

His comment comes after there were concerns earlier in the week that Ghana was repatriating thousands of refugees that have settled in Northern Ghana.

But Mr Padi indicated that “what I can confidently say is that none of the Burkinabes we have registered have been sent back, neither those that we know intend to seek asylum and declared their intentions as they entered but have not registered. None of those people have been sent back.”

The Refugee Board’s Executive Director noted that with the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) a reception center has been set up where some basic amenities are provided to ensure refugees are comfortable.

Mr Padi added that the centre also ensures that all refugees coming into Ghana are accounted for and taken care of.

“The centre has already 500 persons there and we are actually transporting asylum seekers to move to the reception centre, where they will be other interventions such as food, water, and electricity,” he said.

He stated that some refugees have already settled in communities in the north and are reluctant to move to the centre but the Refugee Board are taking steps to ensure they all move to the centre. 

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The number is expected to increase as more of these foreigners keep trouping Ghana to seek asylum.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Refugees Board, Tetteh Kwao Padi, although the situation calls for concern, his outfit continues to work with relevant security agencies to properly screen these refugees before admitting them into the country.

“What is happening more recently is that, they have been staying in that area which is not good, security wise. We work very closely with security agencies. Before we register any asylum seekers  they are cleared and we know that it is safe for us to register them.

“We also do our own screening. Our registration officers are trained to look out for certain signals and if we find anything untoward, we hand them over to the security agencies,” he added.

Mr. Tetteh Kwao Padi stressed that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure security is not breached.

“But there are a lot more to be registered and we are aware that well over a thousand need to be registered so again we will go through the process to make sure that any body that we are registering is a bonafide refugees or asylum seekers.”

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo says it is difficult controlling the influx of these refugees to Ghana. More worrying for him is the admission that some of the terrorists operating in the region may have entered the country already.

Interacting with Foreign Ministers from Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, the President said maintaining a grip on the situation remains a priority.

“We will cooperate with out neighbours when driving them out of our region. We here in Ghana are beginning to get an unusual and unhealthy number of refugees as a result of the impasse in Burkina Faso.

“We have a lot of people coming in and we best be sure that some of them belong to these grouping and it’s going to be a bit difficult to take control of the number of refuges that are coming in and identify everybody that is coming in.

“But it is an exercise that we cannot spare and we have to do our best to make sure that we have a strong hand on deck.”

Background

At least 4,000 Burkina Faso nationals are seeking refuge in some parts of the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region, following terrorists’ attacks in some border communities in Burkina Faso. 

The refugees moved to Ghana after some homes in Zoago, Bugri and Zabre, farming communities in Burkina Faso, including a police station, were attacked by terrorists believed to be jihadists, leading to loss of lives. 

Many people, especially women and children, have been displaced as a result while others have sought asylum in other areas, including Ghana. 

The situation is causing fear and panic among residents in the border communities, including Widnaba, Soogo, Sapeliga, Kansoogo and Googo in Bawku West District and also in  Bansi in Bawku where most of the refugees are being hosted. 

Apart from that, it is also putting stress on their finances and food with residents expressing fear of imminent food shortage in the area if concrete actions were not taken to address the challenge.  

Although Bawku District Security Council (DISEC) has beefed up Security with the Ghana Immigration Service, the Military and Ghana Police Service along Ghana’s border and in some of the host communities, the residents complained that the many unapproved routes were a source of concern.