Ghana appoints former security chief as envoy to Sahel Alliance

Ghana appoints former security chief as envoy to Sahel Alliance

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has named a retired national security official, Lieutenant Colonel Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, as his special envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), signaling a desire to renew dialogue with neighboring junta-led nations, reported Reuters.

The AES, comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, was formed last July after military takeovers in those countries led them to distance themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and several Western partners.

Political relations between Ghana and Burkina Faso deteriorated in 2022, when Ghana’s then-president, Nana Akufo-Addo, alleged that Burkinabe authorities had enlisted mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group. With Ghana’s northern border directly affected, tensions escalated, bringing bilateral cooperation on security matters to a standstill.

According to Accra-based security expert Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Gbevlo-Lartey’s appointment demonstrates Ghana’s intention to build trust and mend ties with the Sahel’s transitional leaders. Since Mahama returned to office in December 2024, he has prioritized improving regional diplomacy, an approach that aligns with his efforts to stabilize Ghana’s own recovering economy. Observers note that Gbevlo-Lartey, a seasoned figure in Ghana’s security landscape, has experience that may foster common ground with AES officials.

In tandem, Mahama announced other key cabinet appointments, naming Edward Omane Boamah as defense minister and assigning former finance minister Seth Terkper as a top adviser on economic policy. Analysts suggest these moves underscore the administration’s commitment to regional and internal stability, especially during a period of increased security threats across West Africa’s Sahel corridor.

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