President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has known as on African nations to bolster regional mechanisms and improve collaboration by sharing intelligence and finest practices to create a safer and safer continent.
On the opening of the 2nd Worldwide Defence Exhibition and Convention (IDEC) in Accra on Wednesday , the President highlighted the interconnected nature of safety threats throughout the continent resembling terrorism and violent extremism, which frequently transcended nationwide borders.
He additionally emphasised the dangers posed by the digital revolution, together with cyber assaults on essential infrastructure, monetary methods and authorities establishments.
President Akufo-Addo burdened that no single African nation might sort out these challenges alone and that regional cooperation was important for successfully countering these threats.
The 2-day occasion, hosted by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), gathered over 500 specialists from navy institutions, safety businesses and worldwide defence trade stakeholders to debate key safety points and showcase technological options.
Held on the theme: “Enhancing Regional Mechanisms for Addressing Modern Safety Challenges in Africa,” the convention aimed to strengthen worldwide collaboration and tackle up to date safety challenges in Africa.
Accra Initiative
In his tackle, President Akufo Addo underscored the function of regional organisations such because the African Union (AU), the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Growth (IGAD) in enhancing safety throughout the continent.
He additionally highlighted the importance of the Accra Initiative, a cooperative safety framework established by a number of West African international locations, together with Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Mali.
The initiative, he stated, represented a proactive and preventive strategy to combating terrorism and transnational organised crime within the area.
President Akufo-Addo, nevertheless, expressed concern over the current withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the initiative to kind the Alliance of Sahelian States, which, he stated, had weakened the collective power of the initiative.
“This transfer has undermined our collective safety efforts because it has created gaps in regional coordination and intelligence sharing, that are essential in our battle in opposition to terrorism and organised crime.
“The fragmentation of our alliance has solely served to embolden terrorist teams and different prison networks, thereby threatening the soundness and safety of your entire area. It’s crucial that we tackle these challenges head-on by reinforcing our commitments to the Initiative and making certain that each one member states stay actively engaged,” he stated.
“Solely by way of unity and cooperation can we successfully fight the threats dealing with our area and safeguard the peace and prosperity of our folks,” President Akufo-Addo added.
Significance of the occasion
The Chief of the Defence Workers, Lieutenant Basic Thomas Oppong Peprah, additionally highlighted the essential function conferences resembling IDEC performed within the improvement of defence methods.
He noticed that within the present period, the place navy, Technological innovation and defence alliances had been driving the conduct of warfare, such exhibitions and conferences had been extra vital than ever.
He identified that synthetic intelligence and superior steerage know-how had been altering the character of warfare globally.
The occasion, he stated, offered an unparalleled platform for showcasing technological options and exchanging concepts important for the defence of taking part international locations.
Lt Gen. Oppong Peprah concluded by expressing the hope that contributors would go away IDEC 2024 with a renewed dedication to collectively tackle up to date safety challenges, supported by the newest technological options.