AES/Ghana: Towards closer collaboration to tackle terrorist threats
On January 21, 2025, a presidential decree appointed Larry Gbevlo-Lartey as Ghana’s « Special Envoy » to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), according to a diplomatic source. A retired military officer and former National Security Coordinator for Ghana, Gbevlo-Lartey is also a trained lawyer who previously served as the African Union’s Special Representative for Counterterrorism Cooperation.
Throughout his military career, Gbevlo-Lartey received infantry training within the Ghanaian Army and completed various professional courses in India, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Cuba.
Before retiring, he held the position of Chief of Staff at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
This appointment reflects the commitment of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, elected on December 7, 2024, to strengthen ties with the AES.
During a meeting with Malian President General Assimi Goïta, Alfred Mahama, spokesperson for the Ghanaian delegation, emphasized Ghana’s intent to work with the AES to address security challenges impacting Mali and other member states.
On January 7, 2025, during his inauguration ceremony in Accra, President Mahama hosted Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré, representing the three heads of state of the AES.
In their discussions, President Mahama expressed solidarity with Burkina Faso in the face of terrorist attacks and pledged his commitment to efforts aimed at restoring peace in the region.
Additionally, on January 16, 2025, Malian Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga met with President Mahama in Accra to discuss regional security.
President Mahama stressed the urgency of regional collaboration to combat insecurity, using the metaphor: « If your neighbor’s house is on fire, you must help extinguish it, or the flames will spread to yours. »
These developments underline Ghana’s resolve to actively engage with the AES and support initiatives aimed at tackling insecurity across the Sahel.
Maurice K.ZONGO
