Countering the security challenges in West Africa requires effective collaboration among multiple security agencies and global stakeholders, Colonel Richard Mensah, Commander, Joint Multinational Headquarters for Flintlock 2023 has said.

‘We can’t always use kinetic means to defeat terrorist activities, but we can involve other non-security sectors to win the hearts and minds of the local population to fight security challenges within the region,’ he said.

Col Mensah said this on Tuesday at the launch of a Joint Military Headquarters for operation 2023 Flintlock, co-hosted by Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

Flintlock is the U.S. Africa Command’s premier and largest annual special operations exercise, combining military and law enforcement to strengthen African and international special operations forces’ capabilities.

The exercise, which has been conducted annually since 2005, operates on the basis of mutual respect and collaboration to advance the shared interests of regional stability.

The Headquarters for the joint military exercise is at the British High Commission in Accra.

The exercise brings together 29 nations and over 1,000 participants and inter-agencies to develop a global Special Operators Forces network among African and international partners.

Col Mensah said this year’s event was the first time in 15 years Ghana was hosting the exercise although the country had been participating in it.

He said recent events in the Sahel region called for concerted efforts by all nations to ensure the peace and security of citizens on the continent.

Source: Ghana News Agency