President Akufo-Addo has raised concerns about the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its potential impact on the Accra Initiative, a regional security arrangement aimed at combating terrorism.
In a speech at the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, President Akufo-Addo, who is the immediate past Chairman of ECOWAS, emphasized the need for prompt action to address this issue. He highlighted the importance of unity among ECOWAS member states to strengthen regional security efforts.
President Akufo-Addo called on all member states of ECOWAS to engage in dialogue with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and encourage their return to the fold. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the Accra Initiative and pledged to extend its benefits to all West African countries.
The Accra Initiative, originally comprising seven nations from West Africa, aims to strengthen operational collaboration among member states to prevent terrorist extremists from taking refuge in the region. Unfortunately, the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS to form an alliance of Sahelian States is expected to undermine the cohesion of the Accra Initiative, requiring prompt reflection on the way forward.
President Akufo-Addo stressed the seriousness of the situation, describing it as a “self-help move” that must be taken seriously by all parties involved to prevent its failure. He emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue and engagement to address the concerns of the withdrawing countries.
The success of the Accra Initiative depends on collective action and cooperation among member states. President Akufo-Addo reiterated the need for unity and cooperation to effectively combat terrorism in the region and ensure the security of West African countries.
