The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved funding of $2.8 million each for Ghana, Benin and three other member countries to strengthen efforts against terrorism and violent extremism.
At its 68th Ordinary Session held in Abuja, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government directed the ECOWAS Commission to release 2.85 million US dollars each to Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo
The financial support is aimed at boosting national and regional security initiatives, particularly in countries facing growing threats from extremist groups along coastal and border communities.
The funds will support activities such as intelligence gathering, border surveillance, capacity building for security agencies, and community-based prevention programs.
ECOWAS’ decision reflects the bloc’s commitment to a coordinated regional response, noting that terrorism poses a shared threat that requires collective action rather than isolated national efforts, as well as banditry and kidnappings
Ghana and Benin, along with the other beneficiary countries, have in recent years intensified security measures to prevent the spillover of extremist activities from the Sahel region into coastal West Africa.
The approval forms part of ECOWAS’ broader security strategy to promote peace, stability and economic development across the sub-region.
ECOWAS praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Nigerian government’s swift response in securing the release of victims and for stepping up efforts to tackle growing insecurity.
The regional bloc reaffirmed its determination to eliminate terrorism in West Africa and appealed to the international community — including the African Union and the United Nations Security Council — to urgently and collectively support countries affected by terrorist activities.
ECOWAS leaders also called on member states to maintain dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to enhance cooperation in addressing the worsening security challenges, particularly in the Sahel region.
Additionally, the Authority directed the ECOWAS Commission to accelerate the operationalisation of the Regional Counterterrorism Brigade by urgently convening meetings of the Committees of Chiefs of Intelligence Services and Chiefs of Defence Staff to facilitate the force’s activation.
