FOSDA demands probe into Hamile explosion, citing border security gaps

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has called for a comprehensive national investigation into the dynamite explosion in Hamile, warning that the incident exposes potential weaknesses in Ghana’s explosives regulation and border security systems.

The organisation is also demanding an independent investigation into reported civilian casualties during a subsequent confrontation between residents and security personnel in Hamile, in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region.

In a press statement issued in Accra on November 5, 2026, FOSDA said the explosion, which occurred on November 3, reportedly claimed the lives of a Ghana Immigration Service officer and two civilians, while several others sustained injuries.

FOSDA described the incident as a national security concern, insisting that it should not be treated merely as an isolated explosives accident or a localized border security incident.

“FOSDA considers the Hamile incident a matter of national security that demands urgent national attention, a comprehensive investigation and decisive preventive action,” the statement said.

According to reports from the Ghana Immigration Service cited by FOSDA, the explosives were being transported on a motor tricycle through an unauthorized route towards Burkina Faso when Immigration officers attempted to intercept the vehicle.

The resulting explosion reportedly killed the two civilian occupants and one Immigration officer, raising concerns about the acquisition, transportation, regulation and possible trafficking of explosives across Ghana’s borders.

FOSDA warned that the incident could expose the movement of dangerous materials through informal cross-border networks beyond the effective reach of existing regulatory and security arrangements.

Although the organisation said there was no established evidence linking the incident to terrorist activity or organised armed groups, it cautioned that “the potential implications of uncontrolled explosives movement for national and regional security cannot be overlooked.”

The foundation also expressed concern over accounts suggesting that an Immigration officer allegedly discharged a firearm at the motorcycle in an attempt to immobilise it during the interception.

“If established, this raises serious questions about the operational procedures governing the interception of vehicles suspected of transporting dangerous or explosive materials,” FOSDA stated.

It called on investigators to establish whether a firearm was discharged before the explosion, who fired it, the circumstances surrounding its use and whether established operational protocols were followed.

FOSDA further raised concerns over reports of a subsequent confrontation between sections of the Hamile community and security personnel, during which additional civilians reportedly sustained gunshot wounds and other injuries following military intervention.

The organisation stressed that the reported civilian casualties must be independently investigated, noting that security operations should be conducted in accordance with standards of professionalism, necessity, proportionality and respect for human rights.

“The loss of civilian lives and injuries arising from the subsequent confrontation, if confirmed, must not be overlooked in the broader investigation,” the statement said.

FOSDA is urging the government to coordinate a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation involving the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Armed Forces, relevant explosives regulatory institutions and national security agencies.

It is also calling for an independent civilian oversight component in the investigative process, particularly in examining the reported use of firearms and civilian casualties, to ensure accountability.

Beyond the investigation, the foundation has recommended a comprehensive review of existing systems for licensing, acquiring, transporting, storing and monitoring explosives, alongside the strengthening of Border Security Committees and improved cooperation between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

“Effective national security cannot be achieved through enforcement alone. It requires strong regulatory institutions, effective intelligence systems, accountable security operations, and the confidence and cooperation of communities,” FOSDA said.

The organisation urged residents of Hamile and surrounding communities to remain calm, cooperate with lawful investigations and refrain from acts of violence or reprisals, while calling on the Ministry of the Interior and relevant security institutions to provide credible public updates on the investigation.

“The Hamile incident must serve as a wake-up call for Ghana,” FOSDA stressed, demanding national attention and decisive preventive action to address vulnerabilities in the movement of dangerous explosives across the country’s borders.