It’s time for reforms to address insecurity in West Africa – Akufo-Addo to ECOWAS leaders

President Akufo-Addo has urged members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to considers reforms towards addressing insecurity in the Region.

The President who doubles as the Chairman for the sub-regional body sees this as a means to ensure that efficient strategies are adopted to fight the evolving canker.

“Unfortunately, we are still confronted with serious security challenges with deadly terrorist attacks and kidnappings, not only in the frontline countries, namely Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger but also in the coastal countries of our Region, such as Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.

He made the comments at the 59^th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on Saturday.

“Africa’s Common Position on UN Reform, based on the Ezulwini Consensus, is one matter Ghana is determined to urge on the global agenda. We will work to solicit the backing of countries around the world for this long, overdue reform,” he said.

Speaking at the event hosted in Accra, he further explained that “we believe it is time to correct the longstanding injustice that the current structure and composition of the UN Security Council represents for the nations of Africa.”

“It is a matter of dignity and sovereignty, which affects all nations in the Region. None of our countries is insulated from the threats of terrorism.”

The ECOWAS Chairperson also touched on the Africa’s strife towards vaccination against the novel coronavirus.

While acknowledging measure adopted by various country’s to contain and mitigate the pandemic’s effect, President Akufo-Addo recommended that the sub-region contributes to “the global discourse on access and availability of vaccines for all the peoples of the world.”

This, be believes, will complement the quantity secured on the continent through the UN’s COVAX facility.

“We have to encourage Members of our Community, Nigeria, Senegal, and my own country, Ghana, which is making an effort to produce their own vaccines. We cannot afford to be naked the next time,” he added.

“The recent decision of the G7 to provide more vaccines to developing countries is commendable, just as is its decision on the taxation of multi-national companies.

“It is a first step towards addressing the illicit flow of funds, in which these multi-national companies play a major part, and which lead to the huge exodus of resources from our Continent. There is still more to be done.”