At the beginning of the 2nd International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC) in Accra the President emphasised the interconnected nature of security threats across the continent such as terrorism and violent extremism, which often exceeded national borders. He also highlighted the risks posed by the digital revolution, including cyber attacks on crucial infrastructure, financial systems and government organisations.
President of Ghana Akufo-Addo emphasised that no single African country could dive into these challenges alone and that regional collaboration was essential for effectively countering those threats. The two-day event, managed by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), assembled over 500 experts from military establishments, security mechanisms and international defence industry stakeholders to examine key security issues and showcase technological solutions.
Held on the composition:
“Enhancing Regional Mechanisms for Addressing Contemporary Security Challenges in Africa,”
The conference sought to strengthen international cooperation and address modern security challenges in Africa. Accra Initiative In his speech, President Akufo Addo underscored the position of regional organisations such as the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in improving security across the continent.
He also emphasised the significance of the Accra Initiative, a collective security framework specified by several West African countries, including Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Mali. The initiative, he stated, represented a proactive and prophylactic approach to combating terrorism and transnational methodical crime in the region. President Akufo-Addo, however, voiced concern over the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the enterprise to form the Alliance of Sahelian States, which, he stated, had weakened the collective strength of the initiative.
“This move has sabotaged our collective security efforts as it has formed gaps in regional coordination and intelligence sharing, which are important in our fight against terrorism and organised crime. “The fragmentation of our partnership has only served to embolden terrorist groups and other criminal networks, thereby endangering the stability and security of the entire area. We must address these challenges head-on by reinforcing our commitments to the Initiative and ensuring that all member states remain actively engaged,”
he stated.
“Only through unity and collaboration can we effectively combat the threats facing our region and protect the peace and prosperity of our people,”
President Akufo-Addo said. The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong Peprah, also emphasised the critical role conferences such as IDEC recreated in the development of defence strategies. He obeyed that in the current era, where military, Technological innovation and defence associations were driving the manners of warfare, such exhibitions and conferences were more critical than ever.
