Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has said any country or partner committed to fighting terrorism is welcome to support security efforts in West Africa, including in the Sahel, where extremist violence continues to threaten regional stability.
Mahama made the remarks on Wednesday, October 21, while speaking at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London. He was responding to a question about Russia’s involvement in providing security assistance to countries in the Sahel.
“My opinion on this is that anybody who is committed to the fight against terrorism is welcome,” Mahama said, adding that he was not concerned about Russian security assistance to countries in the region.
His comments come as West African countries face persistent attacks by extremist groups and growing challenges in coordinating responses across borders. The Sahel, which stretches across the southern edge of the Sahara, has experienced years of militant violence, displacement and political instability.
Mahama has repeatedly called for stronger regional and international cooperation to address the crisis. In September, he urged renewed dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States, which comprises Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, stressing that individual countries cannot tackle terrorism in isolation.
Ghana has also pursued security partnerships with international actors. In March, the country signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union to strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism, conflict prevention, border management, cybersecurity and maritime security.
In January, Mahama hosted a regional security conference in Accra that brought together leaders and representatives from West African and neighbouring countries. Participants agreed to pursue a more permanent framework for regional cooperation, including stronger intelligence sharing and coordination in investigating and prosecuting terrorism-related offences.
Mahama’s latest remarks signal an approach that prioritises practical cooperation against terrorism, regardless of the external partner involved. They come amid wider debate over the role of foreign security partners in the Sahel and the need for regional governments to balance international assistance with sovereignty and accountability.
The spread of militant violence remains a major security and development concern for West Africa, disrupting livelihoods, displacing communities and putting pressure on governments’ capacity to deliver essential services.
Leave a comment