Ghana’s security and operational risks are increasingly interconnected, shifting from isolated incidents into a wider network of threats spanning organised crime, regional instability, cyber risks and labour pressures, according to a Q1 2026 assessment by Sompa & Partners.
The report rates Security & Operational Risk as SEVERE, with a score of 64 out of 125, reflecting rising pressure across both physical security and digital operating environments.
Illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, is identified as the most significant emerging threat, with the activity now linked to organised criminal networks that affect mining areas, water systems and surrounding communities.
The report states that “Galamsey is now Ghana’s single biggest emerging security threat”, highlighting its evolution beyond environmental damage into a broader security and operational risk.
In northern Ghana, tensions linked to the Bawku conflict continue to affect stability despite mediation efforts. The report notes that 119 deaths have been recorded in connection with the conflict, with ongoing disruptions to movement and logistics across parts of the northern corridor.
The risk environment is further shaped by spillover effects from instability in the Sahel region, particularly Burkina Faso, which poses continued threats to border communities and transport routes.
Cybersecurity risks are also rising, with increasing incidents of digital fraud targeting individuals and businesses. The report highlights growing exposure to system-level vulnerabilities and notes that new legislation is expected to tighten compliance requirements for organisations operating in Ghana’s digital space.
Labour-related pressures are also building, driven in part by high demand for limited public sector jobs, which the report warns could translate into broader social and operational tensions if expectations remain unmet.
The report also points to repeated market fire incidents as evidence of ongoing vulnerabilities in commercial infrastructure, particularly in urban trading centres.
Overall, it concludes that Ghana’s security risk environment is no longer defined by isolated disruptions, but by overlapping threats that reinforce each other across physical, digital and social systems.
It forms part of a broader national risk assessment covering seven dimensions of Ghana’s business environment in 2026.
