Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during a panel discussion at Chatham House on 10 March 2026, hinted that Ghana played a role in the Christmas Day airstrike by the United States (US) against terrorist targets in Nigeria.

Although the minister only stated that the governments of the United States and Nigeria “reached out to Ghana to collaborate” on the airstrikes, which were against elements of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Nigeria, his comment has been interpreted to mean that his government was involved in the attack.

Leading figures in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), including former Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Jinapor, have all asserted that Ablakwa’s comments mean the US used Ghana as a base for the attack.

Journalist Alhaji Gbangbanku has now given supposed details of the US operation, in which, according to his sources, Ghana played a role.

According to Alhaji Gbangbanku, who is known for his accurate reportage on issues of defence and intelligence, Ghana was not used as a base for the US attack as suggested by the New Patriotic Party Members of Parliament.

He said that the US “only conducted ISR missions from Ghana” with regard to the airstrikes in Nigeria.

“The US did not use Ghana as a ‘launchpad’. The US only conducted ISR missions from Ghana, which are permissible under the 2018 defence cooperation agreement that you signed for and on behalf of Ghana as Defence Minister at the time,” he wrote on X on 11 March 2026, while reacting to a video of Nitiwul’s remarks.

Ablakwa hints at Ghana's involvement in US Christmas Day airstrike in Nigeria

What are ISR missions:

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions are operations that gather important information about enemy forces, the land, or other potential threats. The main goal is to help military leaders make good decisions and plan operations safely. ISR uses different types of intelligence, such as reports from people, photos, electronic signals, and intercepted communications, to give a complete picture of what is happening on the ground.

These missions use a variety of tools and technology. Drones, aeroplanes, satellites, and sensors on the ground can all be used to watch areas, collect data, and track movements. For example, drones can fly over dangerous areas without risking soldiers, while satellites can monitor large regions. Electronic systems can also detect communications and signals from the enemy.

The information collected from ISR missions helps the military act wisely and avoid unnecessary risks. It can guide decisions about troop movements, airstrikes, or emergency assistance during disasters. Today, ISR is very important in modern military operations because it helps forces know what is happening, plan carefully, and protect lives while achieving their objectives.

About the airstrikes:

On 25 December 2025, the US launched airstrikes against the Islamic State in Nigeria, which the country's president, Donald Trump, reportedly described as "a Christmas present."

Before the strikes, President Trump, in October 2025, threatened military action against Nigeria over what he described as a Christian genocide.

In November 2025, Trump doubled down on his remarks, stating that the United States would not stand by while Christians were being killed in the West African country.

He subsequently ordered the Department of War to prepare for possible action in Nigeria, warning that the US military could intervene to eliminate terrorist groups.

"We're going to do things to Nigeria that Nigeria is not going to be happy about. And we may very well go into that now-disgraced country, guns blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible, horrible atrocities. I'm hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it would be fast, vicious, and sweet, just as the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians," Trump earlier warned.

@diplomatictimesghana

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that the United States and Nigeria reached out to Ghana to collaborate on the Christmas Day strikes on ISIS targets in Sokoto State, stressing that the country retains sovereignty in its strategic defence cooperation with foreign partners. Video Credit: Chatham House

♬ original sound - Diplomatic Times Ghana