Minority Demands Full Disclosure on Alleged Ghana–US Collaboration in Nigeria Airstrikes

The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament is demanding an urgent briefing from the government after reports suggested that Ghanaian territory was used to assist the United States in conducting military airstrikes against ISIS targets in northern Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the Member of Parliament for Damongo and Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, flanked by other committee members, said the revelation raises serious concerns about Ghana’s foreign policy direction and national security.

The Minority’s concerns stem from comments reportedly made by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during a panel appearance at Chatham House. According to reports, he indicated that the government of President John Dramani Mahama approved a cooperative arrangement with the United States in December 2025 that allowed Ghana’s territory to support American military operations targeting ISIS elements in Nigeria.

Mr. Jinapor stated that both the Minority and Parliament only learned of the alleged cooperation through media publications and not through official government communication.

He questioned the nature of the supposed arrangement, asking: “Under what framework did the Ghanaian government collaborate with the United States of America?”

Key Issues Raised by the Minority

The caucus outlined a number of issues that require government clarification.

First, they want to know the legal and operational basis for Ghana’s alleged involvement in the reported joint military activity. Mr. Jinapor noted that former government officials insist no such agreement existed under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Secondly, they questioned whether any agreement governing this cooperation was ever submitted to Parliament for approval, as required by the Constitution for international agreements.

Mr. Jinapor stressed that lawmakers have never been briefed on any such arrangement. He therefore asked: “At what point, and through what lawful process, did our government agree with the United States to carry out military action and airstrikes against a terrorist organisation in Nigeria?”

He further questioned why the government failed to present any such agreement to Parliament for ratification if it truly existed.

National Security Concerns

The Minority also expressed concerns about the potential security consequences for Ghana. Mr. Jinapor asked whether Ghana now risks becoming a target for ISIS or other extremist groups due to the alleged cooperation.

He called on the government to disclose what protective measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of citizens and the country’s territorial security.

The caucus is therefore insisting that the Minister for Foreign Affairs appear before Parliament to provide a full briefing on the circumstances surrounding the alleged authorization, its legal basis, and the national security implications.

Supporting the Minority’s position, former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul argued that Ghana has no existing security arrangement with the United States that permits the use of Ghanaian territory to launch attacks on another country.

He explained that although Ghana and the United States signed defence cooperation agreements in 1998, 2002, 2015, and 2018, none authorise the use of Ghana’s soil as a staging ground for military strikes.

“At no point did these agreements allow the United States or any other country to use Ghana’s territory as a platform to attack a nation, group or organization,” he said, adding that even armed military aircraft entering Ghana require prior government approval.

While underscoring Ghana’s commitment to fighting terrorism globally, he emphasised that any such cooperation must adhere strictly to national laws and constitutional processes.

He therefore urged the government to clarify the matter and brief both Parliament and the general public.