President John Dramani Mahama has raised fresh concerns over the growing threat of terrorism in the Sahel, warning that the crisis could rapidly spread across the African continent if urgent and coordinated action is not taken.
Speaking at the Presidency during the presentation of credentials by the French Ambassador to Ghana on Monday, March 30, 2026, Mahama described terrorism in the Sahel as “like a cancer” that, if left unchecked, could extend beyond West Africa into Central and Southern Africa, including regions as far as Mozambique.
He stressed that the worsening insecurity in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger poses a direct threat not only to neighbouring states but to the stability of the entire continent. According to him, the evolving situation demands stronger collaboration among African nations and international partners.
Mahama revealed that Ghana has intensified diplomatic efforts to re-engage Sahelian countries, particularly following their withdrawal from existing regional security arrangements such as the Accra Initiative. He noted that he has personally visited the three countries and returned to Mali in a renewed effort to rebuild trust and open channels for dialogue.
“These engagements have created a level of rapprochement and offer us the opportunity to begin discussions on our common security,” he said.
As part of efforts to address the crisis, Mahama disclosed that Ghana recently hosted two high-level meetings in Accra focused on Sahelian security. The first was a summit that brought together envoys from the affected countries, followed by a meeting of special envoys on the Sahel. Both meetings, he said, were successful and have resulted in the development of a draft framework aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The proposed framework is currently being circulated among regional and international partners for consideration, with the goal of establishing a more inclusive and effective platform for joint action against extremist groups.
Mahama underscored the importance of collective responsibility in tackling the threat, noting that terrorism transcends borders and requires a unified response. “All countries that are committed to the fight against terrorism should be welcome to assist,” he stated.
He further highlighted Ghana’s ongoing security cooperation with France, particularly in areas such as intelligence sharing and military training, describing the partnership as critical in strengthening Ghana’s preparedness against potential threats.
The former president warned that failure to contain the spread of extremist violence in the Sahel could have devastating consequences for Africa’s future. “If these cancer cells join together, it could undermine the stability of the entire continent as we know it,” he cautioned.
Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with regional blocs and international allies to prevent the escalation of terrorism and to safeguard peace and security across Africa.
SOURCE: Mubarak Yakubu
