Ghana is one of the most stable and peaceful countries in West Africa, whilst the surrounding West African region has become a hub of activity for followers of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS).

In Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, they now control sizeable territories and have also carried out attacks in Côte d'Ivoire, Benin and Togo.

In response to this intensifying threat, Ghana has signed a defence agreement with the European Union (EU). The agreement, signed in Accra by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ghanaian Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, strengthens cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism and cybersecurity.

Ghana is the first African country to conclude such an agreement with the EU, despite the country having thus far remained largely unaffected by militant violence. The agreement "signals the EU's determination to support Ghana's efforts to counter emerging threats at both the national and regional level," stated Osman Abdul Razak, Ghana's National Security Coordinator. Kallas emphasised that the EU is supporting West African countries such as Ghana to "combat terrorism, strengthen border security and enhance maritime security."

In connection with the agreement, the EU has delivered drones, counter-drone systems, bomb disposal vehicles and motorcycles to the Ghanaian military. Aid organisations report that in the past decade, approximately two million people have been displaced by the fighting in Burkina Faso alone, which lies to the north of Ghana. The terrorists frequently cross the border from Burkina Faso into Ghana to regroup in the remote northern regions when under pressure from the Burkinabé military. They also use the country to smuggle weapons, food and fuel.