Kofi Ampeah Woode
The 2nd edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC) has commenced, with Ghana’s President and Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – His Excellency (HE) Nana Addo Danka Akufo-Addo decrying the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has weakened the unified strength of the Accra Initiative.
President Akufo-Addo, who was delivering his speech as Chief Guest at the opening of GAF’s IDEC ’24 on Wednesday 28 August 2024, at Burma Camp, Accra, said the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States by the three countries, has emboldened terrorist groups and other criminal networks, thereby threatening the stability and security of the entire West Africa region.
“This move has undermined our collective security efforts, as it has created gaps in regional coordination and intelligence sharing, which are crucial in our fight against terrorism and organized crime”, HE Nana Akufo-Addo said.
He highlighted the importance of the Accra Initiative – which is a cooperative security framework by Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali and Togo – and said it represents a proactive and preventive approach to combatting terrorism and transnational organized crime in the West African sub-region, by sharing intelligence, and joint security operations.
Ghana’s President also called for enhancing the capacity of Africa’s regional organizations – African Union (AU), ECOWAS, Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to anticipate, prevent and respond to security threats, a move which he says, requires not only political will, but also mobilization of adequate resources, including funding, equipment and trained personnel.
He continued to say that although in recent years, Africa has experienced significant economic growth, social development and increased political stability, the continent continues to face complex security challenges that threaten the progress made.
Listing the range of challenges as terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organized crime, maritime piracy, cybersecurity threats, and impact of climate change on human security, he emphasized that these threats pose a significant risk to the sovereignty, development and well-being of African nations.
He further made a 7-point strategic proposal to enhance regional mechanisms for addressing contemporary security challenges for the region: 1) Strengthening Intelligence Sharing and Coordination; 2) Building Capacity for Peacekeeping and Counter-Terrorism Operations:
Others are, 3) Constituting the ECOWAS Standby Force; 4) Enhancing Maritime Security; 5) Promoting Cybersecurity Resilience; 6) Addressing Climate-Induced Security Risks; and 7) Fostering Inclusive Governance and Development.
In this regard, calling on Africa’s partners to provide technical assistance, capacity-building support and financial resources to complement such efforts, the President urged such support to be aligned with African priorities, respect sovereignty, and be provided in a manner that strengthens regional mechanisms, and enhance capacity to address security challenges independently.
On IDEC 24, President Akufo-Addo said, it is a platform that brings together key stakeholders in the defence and security sectors, to deliberate on issues that are critical to the peace and stability of the continent of Africa.
In a welcome speech, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), GAF – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah said conferences like IDEC, more than ever, play a very important role, in furtherance of the defence strategies of military forces anywhere.
He said, taking a look at conflict situations in Sudan, through the Middle-East to the Russia-Ukraine war, the cursory observer can notice the use of handy devices such as drones, Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition assets, Communication Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Guidance Technology, to drive the conduct of warfare, further accentuating the importance of exhibitions and conferences as IDEC.
No country can afford to stay aloof relative to these developments, General Oppong-Peprah stated, adding that IDEC 24, themed ‘Enhancing Regional Mechanisms for Addressing Contemporary Security Challenges in Africa’, provides an unparalleled stage for technological solutions, and unmatched ideas, which are indispensable for the defence of countries.
He said IDEC 24 seeks to strengthen regional collaboration and provide a platform for academic discussions on pertinent security threats to the African continent, and is designed to afford a unique opportunity to engage with topnotch players in the defence industry.
He further urged regional security capos to use IDEC 24 to provoke a reappraisal and reassessment of existing sub-regional and regional mechanisms, which have been designed to deal with contemporary security threats.
Day 1 of IDEC 24 saw participation from Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States of America.
There also were presentations from Major General (Maj Gen) Olumuyiwa Robert Aiyenigba – Nigerian Army; Maj Gen Ibrahima Sory Bangoura – Guinea Armed Forces; Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Timothy Ba-Taa-Banah (PhD) – Ghana Army, with Maj Gen Emmanuel Wekem Kotia (PhD) as host in a panel discussion captioned: Understanding the Incidence of Violent Extremism and Terrorism (VET) in West Africa.
GAF’s IDEC 24 is a 2-day conference and exhibition from 28 to 29 August 2024, has 500 participants with 10 Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS), 20 International VIPs, 30 Speakers, 40 Sponsors and Exhibitors, 20 Media Partners, and is hosted by the Ghana Army.
Dignitaries present at the opening included Ghana’s Minister for Defence – Mr Dominic Nitiwul; Inspector General of Police, Ghana Police Service – Dr George Akuffo-Dampare; COAS, Ghana Army – Maj Gen Bismarck Kwasi Onwona; Chief of Naval Staff, Ghana Navy – Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu; Chief of Air Staff, Ghana Air Force – Air Vice Marshal Frederick Kwasi Asare Bekoe, amongst many.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
