Albert Kan-Dapaah in a handshake with General Aly Mohammedine
Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, has called for a nuanced approach beyond political interests in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region and Africa as a whole.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah also emphasised the pressing need for security experts to lead the fight against terrorism in Africa, particularly due to its complexities.
He highlighted that unlike the United States or Europe, where terrorism often seeks symbolic or ideological impact, terrorism in Africa poses an immediate territorial threat, aiming to establish influence across swathes of land and affecting countless communities.
The National Security Minister made these remarks at a high-level security meeting of senior officials of the country’s security and intelligence agencies, including the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona and other senior military officers, and Mali’s Minister for National Security and Civil Protection, General Aly Mohammedine and other senior security officials of the Malian government.
The meeting follows similar engagements with Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo, underscoring Ghana’s ongoing leadership in championing collaborative efforts against terrorism and insecurity in the West African sub-region.
The sector minister, Mr. Kan-Dapaah, pointed out that Mali’s extensive experience in counterterrorism operations makes it a crucial partner for any effective regional response.
“Without Mali’s cooperation, combating terrorism within West Africa would be nearly impossible,” he noted.
Acknowledging the high stakes, he warned that without prompt and coordinated action, the terrorism threat could become unmanageable within two years, threatening the stability and safety of the entire sub-region.
The meeting also reflected on broader regional challenges to security cooperation, particularly in light of recent developments within ECOWAS.
The establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the exit of its member states from ECOWAS signaled growing tensions in the sub-region, posing significant challenges to security partnerships.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah further called for renewed bilateral agreements rooted in trust and cooperation, proposing a re-evaluation of relationships within the sub-region to ensure effective collaboration.
Mali’s Minister for National Security, General Mohammedine, praised Mr. Kan-Dapaah for his extensive experience and objective approach to addressing regional security.
He affirmed that security is a foundational development pillar, and reiterated Mali’s commitment to tackling terrorism as a borderless threat, underscoring the importance of solidarity among African nations.
General Mohammedine expressed optimism that public support for security initiatives could strengthen the influence of Mali’s army and enhance collaborative security efforts with regional allies, including Ghana.
The Ghana-Mali security collaboration discussions are part of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to consolidate a regional front against terrorism, a mission Ghana has led since 2017 with the establishment of the Accra Initiative.
By spearheading this initiative, Ghana has persistently promoted cooperative security solutions, bringing together West African nations to address transnational threats.
Amid recent political tensions and realignments within ECOWAS, Ghana continues to demonstrate its commitment to regional stability and solidarity, positioning itself as a critical partner in tackling terrorism and fortifying West African security.
This latest engagement with Mali reaffirms Ghana’s enduring leadership role and the nation’s readiness to support its neighbours, advancing collaborative efforts to safeguard the stability and resilience of the West African sub-region.
A Daily Guide Report