Ablakwa announces new permanent framework for regional security and intelligence sharing

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has stated that leaders of the West African States have agreed on a series of strategic initiatives to strengthen regional security and cooperation aimed at combating the rising threats of terrorism and violent extremism.

He said this when he read the communique at the end of the Summit of the Heads of State held as part of the High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security in Accra last Friday.

He said key agreements include the establishment of a permanent framework for cooperation that develops shared programs to tackle common risks, alongside enhanced intelligence sharing to facilitate cross-border action against terrorism.

“Participants emphasised the importance of a human security approach, focusing on food security, healthcare, and education, while also addressing climate change as a contributing factor to regional instability,” he added.

He said the leaders committed to a biannual consultative platform to ensure ongoing dialogue and track progress on these initiatives, aimed at expediting the creation of a foundational memorandum of understanding that will serve as a legal basis for multilateral security cooperation.

“Our collective efforts to address these challenges reflect our understanding that security cannot be achieved in isolation,” he noted.

He said the renewed commitment marks an important step towards fostering collaboration and resilience among West African nations.

The heads of state and government of Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, as well as delegates from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo, met in Accra from January 29 to 30, 2026, under the direction of President John Dramani Mahama, and approved the summit's decisions.

The African Union Commission, the United Nations Development Programme, and civil society organisations contributed to the discussions that preceded the summit, which included ministers in charge of foreign policy, defence, and security, as well as intelligence chiefs from participating governments.