Ablakwa Downplays ECOWAS Weakness, Calls for International Cooperation on Terrorism

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Hon Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, has dismissed notions that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has weakened, describing the bloc as “still strong” and “buoyant”.

Speaking at Chatham House UK, Minister Ablakwa highlighted Ghana’s efforts to boost security, including increased spending and plans to establish an electronic warfare center in Tamale, northern Ghana. “We are going to, for the first time, establish an electronic warfare center in Tamale… to improve our ISR capacity,” he said.

Ablakwa emphasized that terrorism is a global threat requiring international cooperation. “This is not an African problem… the international community should not leave,” he said, pointing to consequences of actions in Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya.

He welcomed a recent UN resolution supporting ECOWAS and African Union efforts but urged concrete action. “The resolution is just on paper… there hasn’t been a concrete action to let this resolution materialize on the ground.”