Ghanaian JNIM sympathiser appeals to Group’s Leader to launch Jihad in Ghana

A young Ghanaian man, believed to be a herder, has sparked concern after appearing in a viral TikTok video in which he appeals to the leadership of the extremist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) to extend its jihadist activities into Ghana.

In the video, the man makes a direct appeal to JNIM’s deputy leader, Amadou Kouffa, urging him to intervene to preserve what he describes as the rapidly declining culture and traditions of the Mbororo, a subgroup of the Fulani community.

According to the speaker, traditional values among Mbororo women are eroding. He alleges that many women from the community are no longer willing to marry men from their own clan whom they perceive as poor, choosing instead to marry wealthy non-Fulani men.

He further claims that some women have abandoned traditional occupations and adopted lifestyles that, in his view, are inconsistent with both Mbororo customs and Islamic teachings.

The young man, who identifies himself as a member of the Mbororo Fulani community, expresses frustration over what he describes as the gradual erosion of the group’s cultural identity. He also recounts a personal experience in which a Mbororo woman allegedly rejected his marriage proposal, describing him as “cheap” and “poor.”

Using that experience to reinforce his argument, he calls on the JNIM leadership to intervene, suggesting that the group’s ideology could help restore what he considers proper Islamic values and Fulani traditions.

The video has circulated widely on social media, raising concern because it appears to express support for a violent extremist organisation and advocates the expansion of its activities into Ghana.

Who are the Mbororo?

The Mbororo are a semi-nomadic pastoralist subgroup of the Fula (Fulani) ethnic group, one of the largest indigenous populations across the Sahel and parts of Central Africa.

They are primarily found in the border regions of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic.

In Ghana, Mbororo communities are mainly found in parts of the East Gonja area around Salaga, Kpandai, and the Bole area, including Banda Nkwanta.

JNIM, an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group operating primarily in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks across the Sahel.

Ghanaian security agencies have repeatedly warned about the threat posed by violent extremist groups seeking to expand their influence into coastal West African countries.

Authorities have not publicly commented on the authenticity of the video or indicated whether an investigation has been launched.

Security experts have, however, consistently cautioned that online platforms are increasingly being exploited to spread extremist propaganda, promote radicalisation, and recruit sympathisers.

The incident highlights growing concerns over the potential use of social media to amplify extremist narratives and underscores the importance of continued vigilance by security agencies, technology platforms, and local communities in preventing violent extremism in Ghana.