The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised members of the Tijjaniya Muslim Movement of Ghana planning to travel by road to Senegal for pilgrimage to reconsider their plans and travel by air instead, citing security concerns along some routes leading to Dakar.
In a travel advisory dated August, 21, 2026, the Ministry said Senegal remained safe for travellers, but security developments along some routes into Dakar had increased the risks associated with long distance road journeys.
“The Ministry wishes to inform that while Senegal remains safe for travellers, concerns have arisen regarding security situations along certain road corridors leading to Dakar, particularly for persons undertaking long distance journeys by road,” the advisory said.
It, therefore, urged prospective travellers to take the security situation into account when making their travel plans.
The Ministry recommended air travel as “the most preferred, safe and secure means of transportation” for the pilgrimage.
It also urged pilgrims who had already made arrangements to travel by road to reconsider and opt for air travel.
The advisory comes amid worsening security conditions along some of West Africa’s overland routes leading to Dakar.
By February 2026, about 4,000 empty containers were stranded in Bamako after truck drivers became reluctant to make the return journey to Dakar.
By June 2026, Mali’s military was escorting nearly 1,000 trucks a week to keep supplies moving to Bamako.
The Ministry said attacks on transport convoys had also spread to routes previously regarded as safer, including the Conakry to Bamako route.
It said the developments showed that insecurity was affecting several road networks in the region.
Ghanaians have also been affected by the wider regional security situation.
In February 2026, eight Ghanaian traders were killed in a jihadist attack in Titao, northern Burkina Faso.
Following the incident, the government tightened travel guidance for Ghanaians travelling to high risk areas in the sub region and placed Ghanaian missions on high consular alert.
The Ministry said it would continue to monitor the security situation in coordination with international partners and reiterated its assurance of the safety of Ghanaian nationals travelling abroad.
