London: Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called for stronger regional cooperation and coordinated responses to address the growing threat of violent extremism and insecurity in the Sahel. He emphasized that the worsening security situation in the region poses serious implications for stability across West Africa, necessitating sustained collaboration among countries in the sub-region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ablakwa made these remarks during a high-level policy discussion at Chatham House in London on strategies for rebuilding regional order and strengthening security in the Sahel. The discussion was part of broader international efforts to explore practical solutions to the security crisis in the Sahel and identify pathways for rebuilding regional stability through stronger cooperation between African states and global partners.
The meeting focused on the rising threat of violent extremism in the Sahel and explored ways to strengthen cooperation among countries in the region to confront these security challenges. During the discussion, the Minister paid tribute to eight Ghanaians who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the growing reach of extremist violence in the Sahel.
Mr Ablakwa stressed that the evolving threat of terrorism requires well-coordinated regional responses, stronger governance systems, and closer collaboration among governments. He acknowledged that while military and security interventions are important, addressing the underlying drivers of violent extremism is equally critical to achieving lasting peace.
He explained that weak governance structures, ungoverned spaces, and socio-economic vulnerabilities continue to create fertile conditions for extremist groups to operate. He stated, "These underlying challenges must be addressed through stronger institutions, improved governance, and expanded economic opportunities for vulnerable communities."
The Minister underlined the importance of a comprehensive and multi-layered approach in tackling insecurity in the Sahel, including strengthened intelligence cooperation, improved surveillance capabilities, and enhanced regional security frameworks. He highlighted Ghana's commitment to promoting dialogue and cooperation among West African countries to collectively address the security threats confronting the region.
Mr Ablakwa noted that Ghana continues to engage regional and international partners in strengthening mechanisms aimed at responding effectively to the evolving security challenges. He reaffirmed the country's commitment to strengthening its national security architecture to safeguard its territorial integrity.
He mentioned that the Government has implemented measures to enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities as part of broader efforts to protect Ghana from emerging threats linked to instability in the Sahel. Furthermore, he reiterated Ghana's longstanding position that security cooperation with international partners must always be guided by respect for national sovereignty and aligned with the strategic interests of the country.
Partnerships with global actors remain crucial in strengthening national and regional security capacities, he said, but stressed that such collaborations must support African-led solutions to Africa's security challenges. Also participating in the session was Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who shared perspectives on regional security cooperation and efforts to combat violent extremism across West Africa.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration among West African countries, noting that collective diplomatic engagement, intelligence sharing, and coordinated security responses are essential in confronting the growing threats posed by extremist groups operating across the Sahel and the wider sub-region.
The policy discussion, chaired by Ms Martine Dennis, Founder and Host of Africa Here and Now, brought together policy experts and diplomats to deliberate on strategies for addressing the growing security threats in the Sahel and strengthening regional order.