President Akufo-Addo has rejected claims that Ghana is hosting some members of Al-Qaeda in the country.

He made the statement during a joint press conference held at the Jubilee House, where he received the Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris.

During the press conference, the President was asked about the state of Ghana’s terrorist watch and the potential consequences of terror threats to US security aid.

The questions were prompted by the proliferation of terrorist groups across the West African region and the increasing activity of pirate groups along the West African coast.

Although Ghana is yet to witness a terrorist attack, neighbouring countries in recent years have suffered some attacks.

Terrorist groups associated with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Islamic State of Libya and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) according to sources have significant presence in the region.

These groups have demonstrated capability and intent by mounting attacks against security forces and civilians in several countries, most recently in Burkina Faso and Mali.

While there have been no recent attacks in Ghana, the government has instituted some measures including beefing up security at the country’s borders and also launching the “See something, say something” campaign aimed at heightening sensitisation on terrorism, to forestall such attacks.

The journalist wanted to know what the country needed from the United States to combat the threat of Wagner Groups invading the African Continent.

Additionally, he asked for confirmation on whether Ghana was hosting any members of the Al-Qaeda group.

In response the President said he could not confirm if something of that sort existed in the country.

“The presence of Al Qaeda in Ghana, I don’t know. Formally, we don’t have any information to that effect. There are cells , etc already in the country but those are matters our security agencies are very much on top of and we are hoping that there will be no Al-Qaeda presence in Ghana.

“And that has to be the wish of anybody who is the friend of this country and those who wish the people of Ghana well,” added.