The Commandant, Koffi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre, Major General Richard Addo Gyane has stated that the Accra Initiative as a counter measure to the unprecedented security challenges that transcends borders, was conceived as a beacon of regional cooperation which embodies the shared vision and commitment of member states to safeguard their territories, secure borders, and confront the twin challenges of terrorism and violent extremism.
According to him, the effectiveness of the Accra Initiative depends not only on its intelligence-led operations, but also on its ability to integrate soft, non-kinetic approaches that engage communities, civil society, and all stakeholders in a meaningful way.
General Gyane stated this at a 2-day regional dialogue organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), located in Accra, Ghana.
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) is under Ghana’s Ministry of Defence, and one of the three Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] Training Centers of Excellence.
According to General Gyane, following the 2023 Global Terrorism Index on the Sahel as the epicenter of global terrorism, the reality placed demands for urgent, collaborative, and innovative responses to terrorism.
He said violent extremist and terrorists’ groups benefit immensely from organized crime, whether domestic or transnational, through trafficking in arms, persons, drugs, the illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources such as oil, precious metals and minerals, as well as timber, and wildlife.
"In 2007, the region accounted for a mere 1% of the global death toll due to terrorism. However, by 2023, this figure skyrocketed to a staggering 43%. Violent extremists’ groups have moved progressively from Mali to Burkina Faso, now accounting for 58% of all violent extremists’ attacks in the Sahel. Such activities are spreading gradually to littoral countries, such as Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo, with increasing concerns about its potential expansion towards Ghana also"
The United Nations Development Programme Peace and Governance Analyst, Melody Azinim said the key issue for UNDP is that the region needs to see development, but development cannot take place without peace. Therfore there must be collaborations and collective efforts, knowledge and information sharing towards keeping the region safe.
The Director General Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ICPR), Dr. Joseph Ochegwu recommended that emphasis be focussed on the Non-kenetic approach, as the Sahel is ridlled by agents of anti state propaganda.
"Following colonial patterns of over militarization is not the way, but more focus should be on the local and coastal areas to build resistance of the people. Security is an all inclusive venture, we all need to work for peace, citizens first, approach" stated the ICPR DG.
The regional dialogue brought together senior officials from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and other critical security stakeholders who converged at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja Nigeria's Capital to strengthen capacity and promote efficiency in the implementation of the Accra Initiative.
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