In 2021, ECOWAS heads of state and governments made President Akufo-Addo the champion on matters relating to counter-terrorism in the sub-region. Ghana’s president has consistently advocated for a global fight against terrorism. This development occurred when Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, led a delegation of three members to brief President Akufo-Addo on the current developments in the region.
The delegation also sought his leadership and wisdom in resolving acrimony issues within membership and terrorism. The delegation was also at the Presidency to seek the President’s guidance and leadership in reactivating the mission on counter-terrorism and brief him about the developments that had taken place under his direction.
Dr. Touray used the occasion to officially introduce the globally respected statesman, diplomat, and Ecowas Special Envoy on Counter-Terrorism, H.E. Ambassador Baba Kamara, to him. President Nana Addo, a longstanding champion of the global fight against terrorism, congratulated Amb Baba on his role in promoting peace within the subregion.
The 78th United Nations General Assembly took place at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 20, 2023. President Akufo Addo raised the issue that the fight against terrorism must be a global fight, and that the resources dedicated to counterterrorism must match the resources available to terrorist groups, if not more.
To help fight terrorism in the sub-region, other members of the delegation were the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, and the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Ghana, Baba Gana Wakil.
Dr. Touray commended Ghana’s leading role in pushing to secure UN support, saying, “We believe your mission would include leading us to find ways to raise the remaining 25 percent.” President Akufo-Addo called for an ECOWAS-wide initiative and let them feel that for them to have real clarity going forward, there must be an agreement amongst the heads of state as to our strategy going forward.
