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US restricts military travel to Ghana, four others

The directive limits informal travel by the military personnel to Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Ghana.
 
 

The US military has restricted the travel of its officers to Ghana and four other West African countries over fears of terror attacks.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Falvo, a spokesman for U.S. Africa Command said, "It's just increased vigilance given the recent events that have happened in that area of the world," Reuters has reported.

The National Security Council of Ghana on Wednesday issued a warning on a possible terror attack, asking Ghanaians to be wary and security conscious.

Read more: Terrorist attack against Ghana imminent - National Security

The warning follows attacks in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast last week, which killed several people and destroyed properties.

Security experts have said that  public places including hotels, restaurants, malls and other public places that attract a lot of foreigners are prone to attacks.

This has raised fear and panic among Ghanaians who believe their lives are at risk.

Suspected terrorists last Sunday shot and killed 19 people at a beach side resort in Ivory Coast.

The order by the US against traveling to Ghana and the other countries suspected to be susceptible to terror attacks is expected to be in force till June 30, 2016. It however does not include official travels.

"Given the recent attacks in western Africa, we felt it prudent to make this decision at this time in an effort to ensure the safety of our personnel," U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Baldanza, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said.

However, Interior Minister, Prosper Bani has called on Ghanaians to remain calm as security is beefed up around possible danger zones to avert any attack.

See also: UK warns its citizens in Ghana to be vigilant

He made this known at a press briefing after a meeting of security chiefs to come out with strategies to fight terror in Ghana.

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