Prez Mahama challenges Africa to invest more in peace and security
President John Dramani Mahama has challenged African countries to invest in the promotion of peace and security.
Advertisement
He again asked his colleague African leaders to act in concert against the threats of military insurgency, terrorism and piracy that confront the continent.
President Mahama made the call at a session of the just-ended Élysée Summit for Peace and Security in Paris, France.
Almost 40 African leaders attended the two-day summit hosted by the French President Francois Hollande, which ended on Saturday.
The summit focused on peace, security, economic partnership and climate change. The meeting took place after the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution authorising French and African troops in the Central African Republic (CAR) to use force to protect civilians.
Peace
President Mahama said Africa could not take advantage of the conditions it had created for growth and prosperity in "an environment of maritime piracy, terrorism, rebel activities, drug and human trafficking."
Therefore, he said, the investment in peace-building and safeguarding the security of people was very significant.
"If we must safeguard our fledgling democracies then we must invest in security and safety for the continent,” the President said.
Other Trending Stories
Besides, he said, the collaborative effort among leaders in the fight against military insurgency was crucial because no country could individually guarantee its safety and security.
President Mahama said African countries, including Ghana had not paid attention to matters of security because they had over the last many years been investing in human development especially to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
"This has left our continent vulnerable to any small group of disciplined and well-armed bandits," he said.
He, therefore, thanked President Hollande and the French people for creating a platform for the discussion of such important issues that were critical for Africa's survival and progress.
The President said Ghana supported the various initiatives suggested by the last Franco-African Summit, including the development of an African standby force.
He told the summit that the standby force "is an idea originally mooted by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,” adding that its establishment under the African Union was behind schedule because of lack of funds.
President Mahama thanked France for the unconditional support for African Security which had been demonstrated in Mali and again in the Central African Republic (CAR).