The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has said despite the recent military takeovers that has bedeviled the sub-region, Ghana’s role in addressing division and instability in West Africa is remarkable and must be commended.
According to her, at a time where the region is increasingly becoming susceptible to military takeovers and acts of insurgency, Ghana under the current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Akufo-Addo has demonstrated leadership in bringing together member states to share intelligence and counter acts of violent extremism and takeovers.
“In Ghana’s capacity as Chair of ECOWAS, under the able leadership of President Akufo-Addo, we have provided leadership to address the sources of division and instability in our member states. This has also involved engaging in mediation and facilitation processes, bringing the various parties involved together to explore viable solutions, together, and tackle national crises that has the potential to affect us all,” the Minister said.
She said this during a Media engagement session organised by the Ministry of Information in Accra yesterday.
She said the spate of takeovers in the region is one that needs to be addressed collectively and decisively before it devastates the whole region stressing that Ghana on her part will use all available means including her seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to rally a coordinated response to the security situation in West Africa.
“We are committed to ensuring a strong, united and effective African voice on the solutions that are critical to Africa’s progress including ending terrorism and extremist violence in the Sahel and elsewhere on the continent,” she added.
Source: MOI (PR Unit)
