As part of efforts to enhance regional security cooperation, senior officials of Ghana’s security and intelligence agencies, led by the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona and other senior military officers on Friday held strategic discussions with Mali’s Minister for National Security and Civil Protection, General Aly Mohammedine and other Senior Security Officials of the Malian government at Bamako in Mali.
The high-level meeting, which followed similar engagements with Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo, underscores Ghana's ongoing leadership in championing collaborative efforts against terrorism and insecurity in the West African sub-region.
During the Friday [Nov 8, 2024] meeting, Mr Kan-Dapaah emphasised the pressing need for security experts to lead the fight against terrorism, underscoring that the complexities of terrorism in Africa—particularly in the Sahel—demand nuanced approaches beyond political interests.
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.
Mr Kan-Dapaah pointed out that Mali’s extensive experience in counter-terrorism 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 terrorist 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.