Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has underscored the importance of strategic cooperation and collective action in ensuring peace, stability, and sustainable development across West Africa.

Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the Republic Day Lecture held at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) last week, Dr. Omane Boamah commended the College and its partners for facilitating a timely and thought-provoking discourse on regional security.

The lecture, which was chaired by seasoned diplomat Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, featured a keynote address by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The event centred on the theme: "ECOWAS and its Survival: The Impact of the Alliance of the Sahelian States and the Way Forward."

The discussions explored the evolving political and security dynamics in the West African sub-region, particularly in the context of the recent formation of the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES) by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — a development that has posed significant challenges to the cohesion and authority of ECOWAS.

In his remarks, Dr. Omane Boamah emphasised the need for nations in the region to adopt a forward-looking and strategic posture as they navigate a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous global environment.

“It’s essential to think strategically about leveraging our collective strengths to promote peace, stability, and economic development in West Africa,” he said.

The Defence Minister highlighted the urgency of addressing transnational threats such as terrorism, political instability, and economic fragmentation, which continue to undermine the vision of a united and prosperous ECOWAS.

He further praised the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College for its role in advancing high-level security dialogue and acknowledged the OneGhana Movement for partnering in the organisation of the lecture series.

“I commend the GAFCSC for their partnership with the OneGhana Movement in hosting this important lecture.

Let us work together to harness our collective potential and build a brighter future for our sub-region and Africa,” he added.

Delivering the keynote, former President Obasanjo warned that the growing divide within ECOWAS, driven by military-led governments and breakaway alliances, threatens the very foundation of regional integration.

He called for renewed diplomacy, constructive engagement, and a recommitment to the ECOWAS protocols on democracy and good governance, urging African leaders to prioritize the collective interest over parochial power struggles.