West Africa: Ghana, Burkina Faso Beef Up Security Ties After Terrorist Attack

23 February 2026

Ghana and Burkina Faso have stepped up their security cooperation in the wake of a terrorist attack that killed seven Ghanaians in the junta-run Sahel nation, according to Ghana's foreign ministry.

Although ties between Burkina Faso and many of its West African neighbours have been strained since the military took power in a 2022 coup, Ghana has maintained friendly relations with its northern neighbour.

After a terrorist attack in mid-February killed dozens of civilians, including seven Ghanaian tomato sellers, in northern Burkina Faso, the two countries signed a raft of agreements aimed at tackling the unrest, according to a foreign ministry statement published on Saturday.

During a two-day official visit by Burkinabe Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore and Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, "the importance of security cooperation between the two countries featured prominently in the discussions", according to the statement.

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In talks with Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the two sides "resolved to design and implement a strengthened bilateral security framework aimed at effectively combating terrorism and violent extremism", the statement added.

"The two countries strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in the sub-region," and "conveyed their heartfelt condolences to affected families", it said.

Besides security issues, the agreements signed include a deal to fight drug trafficking in the two countries.

Burkina Faso has been plagued by violence from jihadists allied to Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group for more than a decade.

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