President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has emphasized the need for Ghana to bolster its counterterrorism capabilities due to the recent surge in terrorist activities in neighbouring countries.
He made this call during the commissioning of 105 militarized vehicles donated by the European Union.
The vehicles cost €20 million.
According to him, the vehicles will play a significant role in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region.
“The latest attempts by extremists and terrorists to expand their sphere of influence from the Sahel to coastal West Africa are evident, and these actions pose a substantial security risk to the people and stability of Ghana,” Akufo-Addo said.
“Recent occurrences of terrorist activities in Burkina Faso, Togo, and Benin underscore the pressing need for Ghana to enhance its counterterrorism measures.”
“It is imperative to understand that no single country can confront terrorist threats alone,” Akufo-Addo added.
“Collaborative efforts among nations facing this challenge and critical support from partners such as the European Union, who share in our security concerns, remain crucial in mitigating the terrorist threat in the West African region.”
Additionally, the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, underscored the importance of this donation and urged the government to fight the root causes of terrorism.
“To prevent terrorism, you have to attack the root causes,” Borrell said.
“Everything has a cause, so let us look at the causes—not to justify, but to explain—so that we can act in a more intelligent manner. We need intervention, which requires improved service provision and job creation, especially for the youth and women.”