Accra, Ghana – President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has expressed deep concern over the escalating issues of insurgency and terrorism within the West African sub-region.
According to him, while these challenges are not entirely new, they have grown significantly more severe over time.
Speaking on the matter, President Mahama described the situation as regrettable, stating, “We note what is happening in the geopolitics of our sub-region and the unfortunate situation unfolding in the Sahel. It is not anything that is new, but it continues to become more grave than it was in the past. And I’m talking about the issue of insurgency and terrorism.”
Ghana’s Commitment to Regional Security
Following a meeting in Accra with the Malian Prime Minister, Abdoulaye Maiga, who delivered a special message from Malian President Assimi Goita, President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to assisting its neighbors in addressing shared security challenges.
Drawing from a Ghanaian proverb, he emphasized the importance of mutual support in times of crisis.
“As I told the Prime Minister, in Ghana, we have a proverb that says: If your neighbor’s house is on fire, you must assist him to quench it. Otherwise, when it finishes burning down his house, it will spread to yours.”
President Mahama stressed that security is a shared responsibility and that nations must collaborate to ensure the safety and stability of the sub-region.
“Our security is a common objective, and we must work with each other to make sure that our sub-region is safe. We have noted the sovereign decisions of not only Mali but also Burkina Faso and Niger to form separate confederations. Despite these decisions, we remain interconnected by geography, trade, culture, and relationships that transcend borders,” he remarked.
Strengthening Regional Ties Amid Challenges
President Mahama called for continued unity and cooperation among West African nations, despite temporary setbacks.
“Despite the temporary challenges we are facing, we must strengthen our relationships. I firmly believe that, eventually, we will reintegrate as one body. Ghana remains a steadfast neighbor and stands in strong solidarity with Mali,” he assured.
Acknowledging the longstanding ties between Ghana and Mali, President Mahama highlighted the contributions of the Malian community in Ghana.
“There is a significant Malian population that has lived in Ghana for many centuries. We continue to ensure their safety and support their contributions to Ghana’s economic progress,” he said.
Ensuring Trade and Free Movement
President Mahama further pledged Ghana’s commitment to maintaining seamless trade and the free movement of people between the two countries.
“We have a significant transit trade relationship between Mali and Ghana. I assured the Prime Minister to convey to my brother, President Goita, that we will continue to facilitate the free flow of trade and movement of people between our countries,” he concluded.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites
) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 
