Opposition Demands Urgent Clarification on Ghana's Alleged Involvement in US Air Strikes in Nigeria

Opposition Demands Urgent Clarification on Ghana's Alleged Involvement in US Air Strikes in Nigeria

On December 25, 2025, the US, under President Donald Trump, conducted air strikes against ISIS-affiliated groups (particularly Lakurawa/Islamic State Sahel Province) in Sokoto State in northwestern Nigeria. The attacks were coordinated with the Nigerian government and confirmed by AFRICOM (US Africa Command). Trump publicly justified them as necessary to protect Christians from alleged systematic attacks by these groups. The attacks were carried out partly with Tomahawk cruise missiles from a US warship in the Gulf of Guinea, partly with drones, and partly with other means. There were reports of militants being killed, but also doubts about the actual effectiveness of the strikes (some sources mention empty stockpiles). Ghana's opposition and parliamentary minority are urgently demanding clarification regarding the legal basis of their country's alleged cooperation with the US in air strikes against terrorist targets in Nigeria. This follows statements made by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa at Chatham House, where he reportedly confirmed Ghana's participation. According to statements by Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana did indeed participate in the US airstrikes against ISIS positions in Nigeria's Sokoto State in 2025. He confirmed that the operation was trilateral and conducted in coordination with Nigeria and the United States. Ablakwa stated that Ghana was officially invited by both countries to participate in this operation, which targeted the growing threat posed by the Lakurawa jihadist group in northwestern Nigeria. The minister emphasized that the operation had been strictly agreed upon by all parties before the attacks began from the Gulf of Guinea. He also stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of African states. However, Ablakwa's statement triggered mixed reactions in Ghana. The opposition and parliamentary minority called for an urgent statement from the government to clarify the legal basis for this cooperation. They pointed out that any military action abroad must be approved by parliament and that previous agreements between Ghana and the United States (1998, 2002, 2015, and 2018) prohibited the use of Ghanaian territory as a base for military strikes against other countries. Former Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul expressed concern that such cooperation could expose Ghana to the risk of retaliatory attacks by terrorist organizations. He noted that extremist groups are active in the region (Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo) and that Ghana should avoid actions that might attract their attention. Although official statements confirm Ghana's participation in the operation, questions persist within the country regarding the legal and procedural aspects of this cooperation. Samuel Abu Jinapor, the highest-ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasized that any foreign military action must be approved by parliament. He demanded an immediate clarification regarding the legal framework and circumstances of the Mahama government's involvement.