He said the worsening security situation in the region posed serious implications for stability across West Africa, which required sustained collaboration among countries in the sub-region to address. 

Mr Ablakwa made the call when he participated in a high-level policy discussion at Chatham House in London on strategies for rebuilding regional order and strengthening security in the Sahel. 

The discussion formed part of broader international efforts to examine 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 discussion examined the rising threat of violent extremism in the Sahel and explored ways to strengthen cooperation among countries in the region to confront the security challenges. 

The Minister, at the beginning of the discussion, 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. 

He noted that the evolving threat of terrorism required well-coordinated regional responses, stronger governance systems and closer collaboration among governments in the region. 

While military and security interventions remained important, addressing the underlying drivers of violent extremism was equally critical to achieving lasting peace, he noted. 

Mr Ablakwa explained that weak governance structures, ungoverned spaces and socio-economic vulnerabilities continued to create fertile conditions for extremist groups to operate. 

“These underlying challenges must be addressed through stronger institutions, improved governance and expanded economic opportunities for vulnerable communities,” he said. 

The Minister emphasised the need for 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. 

The Minister noted that Ghana continued 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. 

Mr Ablakwa said the Government had put in place 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. 

He further 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 remained important 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. 

He emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration among West African countries, noting that collective diplomatic engagement, intelligence sharing and coordinated security responses remained essential in confronting the growing threats posed by extremist groups operating across the Sahel and the wider sub-region. 

The policy discussion was chaired by Ms Martine Dennis, Founder and Host of Africa Here and Now, and brought together policy experts and diplomats to deliberate on strategies for addressing the growing security threats in the Sahel and strengthening regional order.