Mahama calls for collaboration between West African leaders to end insurgency in sub-region

Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has expressed worry about the growing insurgency in the West African sub-region and the Sahel that had endangered the lives of its citizens.

He says the issue, although not new, continues to become worsened by the day which requires an urgent need to address it.

“It is not anything that is new but it continuous to become more grave than it was in the past and I’m talking about the issue of insurgency and terrorism,” he stated at a media briefing during a visit by the Malian Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maïga, at the Flagstaff House Thursday, January 16, 2025.

President Mahama went on to describe the situation that has threatened security in the sub-region as unfortunate.

“We live in present day and we recognise the relationship that we have and how we must work closer together. We know what is happening in the geopolitics of our sub-region and the unfortunate situation that is unfolding in the Sahel,” he indicated.

Mahama explained that the situation, despite happening in some countries within the sub-region, has dire consequences on the other regions, the reason it requires an urgent attention to bring an end to it.

In sharing how the situation has consequences on Ghana despite it not being directly affected at the moment, President Mahama said “in Ghana we have a proverb that ‘if your neighbour’s house is on fire, you must assist him to quench it otherwise it will spread to yours when it finishes burning his.”

He has therefore called for a collaboration between the nations to find a solution to the matter.

“So, our security is a common objective and we must work with each other to ensure that our sub-region is safe,” he indicated.

Abdoulaye Maïga, the Malian Prime Minister, on his part said he is convinced that the two leaders’ quest to push for Pan Africanism in the region will bear fruits.

“We are convinced that our two leaders have the way to enforce the cooperation and economic and security. We salute H.E. John Dramani Mahama for ensuring that we are combating for Pan Africanism with H.E. President of the Republic of Mali,” he stated.