Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to adopt a united and collaborative approach in combating terrorism, warning that the threat is like a cancer that, if not collectively fought, will spread uncontrollably across the continent.
Speaking on the growing menace of extremist violence in parts of Africa, Mahama emphasized that no single country can effectively tackle terrorism alone.
He urged regional and continental bodies, including the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to strengthen intelligence-sharing, military cooperation, and economic strategies to cut off funding sources for terrorist organizations.
“Terrorism is like cancer,” Mahama stated. “If you don’t fight it together, it will spread throughout the body. The instability in one country can easily spill over into others, affecting security, trade, and development across entire regions.”
He also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of extremism, such as poverty, youth unemployment, and political instability, which often create fertile ground for radical ideologies to take hold.
Mahama’s call comes at a time when West Africa and the Sahel region are experiencing a surge in terrorist attacks, with groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS causing havoc in several countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
He urged African leaders to rise above political and ideological differences and work collectively to secure the continent’s future.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Osei-Akoto (Teacher Kojo) #ahotoronline.com/oseiakotor1@gmail.com
