Ghanaian Prez urges efforts to root out terrorism in West Africa

Accra, July 4 (IANS) Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to take concerted efforts to root out terrorism in West Africa.

Akufo-Addo, also Chairman of the regional bloc, on Sunday made the call in his opening speech at the 61st Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Accra, the Ghanaian capital.

"Our region continues to be the target of indiscriminate and barbaric terrorist attacks, resulting in the massacre of many innocent victims and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the targeted countries," said Akufo-Addo.

According to him, the terrorist attacks in West Africa are now not only focusing on the Sahel but also expanding to the coastal states in the subregion, Xinhua news agency reported.

He urged the subregion to continue to implement the regional action plan against terrorism and coordinate other related initiatives to defeat the threat of terror and insecurity in West Africa.

He added that the threats could only be quashed through concerted efforts and the collective resolve to combat the terrorists with a united front, urging the subregional bloc to be ready to go the extra mile to ensure the stability of the community and the various member states.

"This will reinforce our collective response to this destabilising threat, and our determination in this end must be stronger than ever. Equally unshaken must be our resolve to maintain the stability of our region and its member states," Akufo-Addo said.

The one-day summit, with ECOWAS heads of state and government in attendance, mainly focused on regional and global developments.