First Ghanaian Defects to Islamic State

Twenty-five-year-old Ghanaian Mohammad Nazir Nortei Alema (pictured) has reportedly left his homeland to join the Islamic State (IS), reports the BBC.

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On August 16th, Mohammad, who studied Geography at university, sent a WhatsApp message to his father, Abdul Latif, writing, “O my Father, O my Mother, do not be worried about the decision of your son….”

The message reportedly fulfilled Mohammad’s previously voiced desire to “live under Islamic rule,” according to published reports.

Of his son’s decision, Mr. Abdul Latif says it is “like someone in the family has died.”

The distraught Father adds, “Nobody’s happy and as for his mum, she keeps on crying and fasting and praying that her son returns.”

Islamic militants have had a widely publicized presence in African countries, such as Nigeria, with Boko Haram; Mali, with Ansar Dine; Kenya and Somalia, with al-Shabab; Tunisia, with IS; and Algeria, with al-Qaeda.

And while between 4.5 to 7.5 million Muslims exist in Ghana, the West African nation has not had militant activity, making Alema’s defection the first reported case in the nation.

Outside of Ghana, Alema is not alone, though.

In July, 16 Sudanese medical students made headlines when they reportedly left the University of Medical Sciences Technology to join IS.

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