Review of the Security Situation in the West African Sub-Region: Advocating for Security Improvement to Promote Regional Development

The report analyzes the security landscape of West Africa, identifying a complex interplay of weak governance, economic inequality, and emerging threats like violent extremism and transnational crime. It highlights how these factors undermine regional stability and development, particularly in the Sahel. While Ghana is relatively stable, it faces risks from porous borders and internal community tensions. The document recommends pursuing economic integration via the AfCFTA, addressing youth unemployment, and strengthening regional security alliances to combat terrorism and trafficking.

• West Africa's economic growth has not translated into improved social wellbeing, leading to widening inequality and poverty that fuel public unrest and instability.
• Weak governance systems, characterized by institutional corruption, greed, and ethnic discrimination, are primary drivers of chronic instability and violent conflict in the region.
• The region is experiencing a democratic decline marked by the rise of authoritarianism, the manipulation of constitutions to extend presidential term limits, and a resurgence of 'coup culture'.
• Violent extremism and terrorism are expanding from the Sahel interior toward coastal West African nations, with groups like ISGS, ISWAP, and JNIM posing significant threats.
• West Africa serves as a major transit point for transnational organized crime, including the trafficking of cocaine from Latin America to Europe and the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons (SALW).
• Ghana, while generally peaceful, is vulnerable to spillover effects from unstable neighbors and faces internal fragilities related to land, chieftaincy, and illegal small-scale mining.
• A significant 'youth bulge' combined with high unemployment and limited economic opportunities makes young people vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups and criminal networks.
• Climate change and poor farming practices are exacerbating food insecurity in the Sahel, contributing to a catastrophic rise in hunger and displacement.
• Maritime insecurity, particularly piracy and illegal oil bunkering, remains a critical threat in the Gulf of Guinea, with Nigeria being a primary hotspot.

APA

Osei-Kufuor, P. (2021). Review of the Security Situation in the West African Sub-Region: Advocating for Security Improvement to Promote Regional Development. Good Governance Africa. https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2021/12/REVIEW-OF-THE-SECURITY-SITUATION-IN-THE-WEST-AFRICAN-SUB-REGION.pdf

Chicago

Osei-Kufuor, Patrick. Review of the Security Situation in the West African Sub-Region: Advocating for Security Improvement to Promote Regional Development. Good Governance Africa, 2021. https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2021/12/REVIEW-OF-THE-SECURITY-SITUATION-IN-THE-WEST-AFRICAN-SUB-REGION.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Osei-Kufuor |first1=Patrick |title=Review of the Security Situation in the West African Sub-Region: Advocating for Security Improvement to Promote Regional Development |publisher=Good Governance Africa |date=October 2021 |url=https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2021/12/REVIEW-OF-THE-SECURITY-SITUATION-IN-THE-WEST-AFRICAN-SUB-REGION.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{oseikufuor2021review, author = {Osei-Kufuor, Patrick}, title = {{Review of the Security Situation in the West African Sub-Region: Advocating for Security Improvement to Promote Regional Development}}, institution = {Good Governance Africa}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://digitalmallblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wp-content/2021/12/REVIEW-OF-THE-SECURITY-SITUATION-IN-THE-WEST-AFRICAN-SUB-REGION.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }