Accra: Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, hinted at Ghana's alleged involvement in the United States' Christmas Day airstrike against terrorist targets in Nigeria during a panel discussion at Chatham House on 10 March 2026. The minister noted that the US and Nigerian governments had reached out to Ghana for collaboration on the airstrikes, which targeted elements of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Nigeria.
According to Ghana Web, leading figures from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), including former Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Jinapor, interpreted Ablakwa's comments as implying that the US used Ghana as a base for the attack. Journalist Alhaji Gbangbanku, known for his accurate reportage on defense and intelligence matters, provided further insights into the US operation, clarifying Ghana's role.
Alhaji Gbangbanku stated that Ghana was not used as a base for the US attack, contrary to the NPP's assertions. He explained that the US conducted Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions from Ghana, which are allowed under the 2018 defense cooperation agreement. These ISR missions are critical operations that gather important information about enemy forces and potential threats to aid military decision-making.
The Christmas Day airstrikes were launched by the US against the Islamic State in Nigeria on 25 December 2025, following warnings from then-President Donald Trump. Trump had previously threatened military action against Nigeria over what he described as a Christian genocide, asserting that the US would not stand by while Christians were being killed. He instructed the Department of War to prepare for possible action, emphasizing the urgency and decisiveness of potential US military intervention.