President John Dramani Mahama has warned that Ghana’s security environment remains fragile amid escalating instability across the West African sub-region, calling for a coordinated national response that extends beyond the efforts of the armed forces and security agencies.

Speaking at the graduation parade of the Ghana Military Academy in Teshie, Accra, on Friday, January 30, President Mahama highlighted violent extremism, terrorism, and transnational crime as serious threats to peace and stability, particularly along Ghana’s northern borders.

“The security environment in our sub-region remains complicated and volatile,” he said. “Violent extremism, terrorism and trans-national crime continue to pose serious threats, particularly along our northern border.”

The President noted that security challenges are no longer confined to conventional warfare, emphasising that global developments have transformed the nature of threats confronting nations.

“Globally, the rise of non-state actors and asymmetric warfare has reshaped the nature of security challenges,” he stated, adding that these realities require a comprehensive and cohesive national response.

President Mahama stressed that safeguarding national security is not the sole responsibility of the Ghana Armed Forces or other security institutions, but a shared duty involving all segments of society.

“Security cannot be seen as the sole responsibility of the armed forces and security agencies,” he said. “It is a shared national duty. Citizens, communities, traditional authorities, civil society and government must work together to protect the peace and stability we all so cherish.”

He urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and security-conscious, highlighting the importance of public cooperation with state institutions in preventing and responding to threats that could undermine national cohesion.

“I therefore urge all Ghanaians to remain vigilant and security conscious in safeguarding our nation’s peace,” the President added.

President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the armed forces and enhancing national security strategies to ensure Ghana remains peaceful and stable despite evolving and complex regional threats.