Ghana’s President Mahama calls for new West African security accord, stronger AU accountability

President John Dramani Mahama has called for a new regional security arrangement to strengthen cooperation among West African countries, while urging the African Union (AU) to hold member states accountable for failing to implement agreed peace and security measures.

He made the proposals on Saturday, October 24, 2026, when he presented the 2026 State of Peace and Security in Africa Report at the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

The report, covering developments between January 2025 and June 2026, examines the political and economic conditions contributing to conflicts and insecurity across the continent.

President Mahama said political divisions among African regional blocs had weakened collective efforts to address security threats, while governments continued to struggle to translate existing agreements into practical results.

He explained that Ghana was exploring a new regional cooperation framework because the Accra Initiative, established to strengthen collaboration against terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa, appeared to have stalled.

At the forum, he identified the proposed Sahel-Gulf of Guinea Accord as a coalition of willing countries that could improve coordination and promote peace and security across the region.

The President said Ghana was pursuing bilateral, minilateral and multilateral security partnerships with neighbouring countries. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining engagement with members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), despite their differences with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

On continental governance, President Mahama urged the AU and regional economic communities to monitor governments’ compliance with security agreements and publicly identify countries that fail to fulfil their obligations.

He argued that Africa’s challenge was not a shortage of policies and frameworks but the lack of effective implementation.

The President’s proposals formed part of broader calls for African-led solutions to insecurity, including stronger regional integration, improved governance and greater responsibility for financing peace operations.

He maintained that sustained cooperation and accountability were essential to turning existing commitments into measurable progress towards lasting peace across Africa.

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