MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION, HON. SHIRLEY AYORKOR BOTCHWEY MEETS WITH THE DEPUTY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL (DSRSG) OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL (UNOWAS) MS. GIOVANIE BIHA

 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has underscored the need for partnership in the fight against terrorism, particularly, in the sharing of information and intelligence among Member States of the Accra Initiative and its international partners. The Minister made the remarks on Wednesday, 23rd  November, 2022 when she held a meeting with the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Ms. Giovanie Biha.

The Deputy Special Representative commended the Government of Ghana for the excellent organisation of the Accra Initiative Conference and expressed the UN’s satisfaction with how the discussions were conducted. She also took the opportunity to seek the Hon. Minister’s thoughts on collaboration in the fight against terrorism.

In her response, the Hon. Minister applauded the UN for its interest in countering terrorism. She emphasised that the outcome of the Conference was important to all stakeholders, especially, the Accra Initiative, a body whose goal is to curb the spread of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel. She added that it is a home-grown initiative owned by its Member States. The Minister further indicated that support would be required from its international partners in the areas of capacity building and training.

Ms. Giovanie Biha was accompanied by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani, and some members of the United Nations Office for West Africa and Sahel.