Ghana is currently ranked 89 on the Global Terrorism Index of 2024. Despite Ghana’s relative political stability in an unstable and fragile subregion, a mix of internal and external factors increases the country’s vulnerability to violent extremism. While Ghana has not experienced direct attacks, conditions conducive to extremism and the susceptibility of certain populations, including youth and women, are evident.

These issues are particularly severe in the northern part of the country, where poverty, unemployment (national average of 14.7% in 2023, but significantly higher in the north), economic and social inequalities, and local conflicts over natural resources, chieftaincy, and farmer-herder disputes prevail, predisposing the region to violent extremism.

Ghana shares its longest land border, over 540 km, with Burkina Faso to the north—a global epicenter of violent extremism according to the 2024 global terrorism ranking. This porous and poorly monitored border exposes northern Ghana not only to the spillover effects of terrorism from Burkina Faso and other neighboring countries but also to the infiltration of extremist narratives and actors into the vulnerable northern regions. Concerns are growing about Sahel-based violent extremist organizations (VEOs) establishing obscure rear bases and retreat cells in northern Ghana, accessing particularly vulnerable populations such as youth and women.

Additionally, attacks in Burkina Faso and other neighboring countries have driven victims to seek refuge in northern Ghana. This influx places additional pressure on already stressed socio-economic amenities and opportunities, potentially stoking tensions between host and refugee populations that VEOs can exploit.