Sahel crisis offers Ghana chance to lead West Africa's security reset — Prof Kwesi Aning

Renowned security analyst Professor Kwesi Aning has said Ghana is well positioned to lead a new regional security reconfiguration amid West Africa's increasing instability following the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) from the regional bloc and the changing security landscape.

According to him, the ongoing changes within the sub-region present Ghana with a unique opportunity to provide strategic leadership through diplomacy, defence cooperation and locally driven security solutions.

Speaking at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College's 50th Anniversary Republic Day Lecture, organised in collaboration with the One Ghana Movement on Wednesday, July 1, Prof Aning said Ghana, which will be heading the Africa Union from 2027, must seize the moment to redefine regional security cooperation instead of relying on existing structures that are increasingly under strain.

"We are seeing statements out of Abuja and Accra arguing for a new security reconfiguration. We are seeing coastal states engaging with the AES states, joint training and intelligence sharing. This creates particular opportunities for Ghana," he said.

Prof Aning noted that while the security situation across the Sahel continues to deteriorate, Ghana has so far avoided major terrorist attacks but must remain vigilant by strengthening its institutions and investing in preventive measures.

He argued that the security crisis in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger goes beyond terrorism and is deeply rooted in coups, corruption, weak governance, poverty and the looting of state resources.

The security expert said lessons from Mali show that countries must define their own security priorities rather than allowing external actors to dictate interventions.

"We as a people must determine what the problem is, where the problems are, how we think we can resolve them, and what the instruments for resolution are," Prof Aning stated.

He stressed that Ghana's response to emerging regional threats should be based on evidence, local knowledge and citizen participation rather than externally driven security narratives.