Ghana has done well to prevent major terrorist incidents despite growing instability across the Sahel region, but the country cannot afford to let its guard down, Simone Giger, the outgoing Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin, and Togo, has cautioned.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, the ambassador explained that while Ghana has managed to escape the worst of the regional security crisis, the threat from extremist groups is steadily moving closer to coastal West African nations.

"Skill or Luck"

Reflecting on Ghana's success in avoiding the high-profile attacks seen in neighbouring countries, Ambassador Giger remarked that the nation has been "either very apt or very lucky, or a combination of the two."

She noted that Switzerland is closely watching the security climate in the sub-region with great concern, pointing out that violent extremism is actively pushing down from the Sahel toward coastal states, with noticeable encroachment already happening in Benin and Togo.

A Shared Responsibility

Despite the worrying trends, the ambassador highlighted that the governments of Ghana, Benin, and Togo are not ignoring the problem. She stated that all three nations have acknowledged the rising danger and are actively stepping up their regional security efforts to protect their borders and citizens from the unfolding threat.