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Editorial: ECOWAS Must Still Play Frontline Role In The Sahel Crisis

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Last week, the entire continent was taken aghast when it was reported that an al-Qaeda affiliate and Tuareg insurgents had murdered Mali’s Defence Minister, Gen. Sadio Camara, in a sweeping assault in which jihadists and rebel fighters reportedly seized several towns and military bases.

The shocking development has once again drawn urgent attention to the deteriorating security crisis in the Sahel. The central question is unavoidable: why has so much money been invested in the Sahel, yet insecurity continues to deepen?

The region’s crisis is no longer simply about terrorism. It has evolved into a dangerous mixture of insurgency, weak governance, military rule, ethnic grievances, external interference and geopolitical competition.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have all experienced coups in recent years, replacing elected governments with juntas that promised order and national revival. Yet the security environment has deteriorated under their watch.

Large parts of these countries remain contested. Civilians continue to be killed, displaced and impoverished. Schools, clinics and markets have shut down in many rural areas. State authority has retreated while armed groups fill the vacuum.

Equally troubling is the increasing internationalisation of the conflict. The Sahel has become another arena for global rivalries.

Russia has expanded influence through the Africa Corps, formerly linked to Wagner, offering military support to regimes battling insurgents. Other foreign actors are also accused of backing armed factions, deepening mistrust and prolonging violence.

Whether every allegation is proven or not, one reality is clear: African battlefields are increasingly being shaped by external contests that do little to solve African problems.

The human cost has been staggering. Security monitors estimate that the Sahel accounted for about 51 percent of all global terrorism-related deaths in recent years.

Across Africa, more than 150,000 deaths have been linked to militant Islamist violence over the past decade. Thousands more have been wounded, displaced or stripped of their livelihoods, while already fragile economies continue to suffer.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) formed by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, has announced joint military operations following the latest attacks. While regional cooperation is welcome, military action alone will not solve a crisis rooted in governance failure, poverty, corruption, exclusion and state absence.

This is where continental leadership has been lacking. Both the African Union and ECOWAS have struggled to respond effectively. Their divisions over coups, sanctions and diplomacy have often produced more headlines than solutions. Institutions created to preserve peace and constitutional order now risk appearing distant and ineffective.

The Chronicle is worried that democratic credentials in the sub-region are fast fading, creating room for these complex challenges to flourish. The weakening of constitutional governance has opened space for misguided external actors to exploit tensions and deepen conflicts within the AES states. These developments could drive away investors, worsen unemployment and deepen poverty in a region already struggling with fragile and distressed economies.

We believe urgent and coordinated action is needed. The AU and ECOWAS must move beyond routine statements and establish a credible regional security framework based on intelligence sharing, rapid response capacity and sustained cooperation among affected states.

Governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger must also address the underlying causes of extremism, including youth unemployment, weak justice systems, corruption, ethnic marginalisation and the lack of basic services. Where the state is absent, extremist groups gain influence. They must also review their decision to leave ECOWAS, which admit, has limited the role of the regional body to fully resolve the crisis.

We insist there must be a clear return to constitutional civilian rule. Military governments may promise order, but durable peace is built through accountable institutions, democratic legitimacy and the rule of law.

Africa must equally resist becoming a battleground for foreign rivalries. Partnerships should serve African interests, not turn the continent into a theatre for proxy wars.

The humanitarian crisis requires urgent attention. Millions face hunger, displacement and economic hardship. Greater support is needed for food security, healthcare, shelter and education in affected communities.

Above all, The Chronicle believes leadership is required from Addis Ababa to Abuja. The Sahel crisis is no longer a distant problem. It is a direct threat to regional peace, democratic governance and economic progress. The era of half-measures must end. Africa must act now!

 

 

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Ashanti Council of State Member donates food items to two Orphanages in Kumasi

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ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Yaw Bimpeh presenting the items to Manager of Apre Cherub Children's Home

Mr. Yaw Bimpeh, the Ashanti Regional Representative on the Council of State, has donated food items and assorted drinks to inmates at the Dwenase Rehabilitation Centre and the Apre Cherub Children’s Home to support their upkeep.

The donated items included five bags of rice for each facility, gallons of cooking oil, toiletries, boxes of soap, washing powder, assorted drinks, packs of mineral water, and cartons of Tasty Tom tomato paste.

A section of the Inmates at Dwenase Rehabilitation Centre

Presenting the items, Mr. Bimpeh said the gesture was his contribution to improving the welfare of the less privileged in society.

He explained that anyone could find himself or herself in the situation of the inmates, adding that it is not of their own making.

Mr. Bimpeh appealed to philanthropists, individuals, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to extend support to the vulnerable so they do not become a burden to society.

He commended the management of both institutions for their commitment to enhancing the well-being of inmates.

Mr. Bernard Osei Bonsu, Administrator of Cherub Children’s Home, and Mrs. Rita Agyei, Manageress of Dwenase Rehabilitation Centre, expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Bimpeh for the donation.

According to them, the items came at a critical time and would greatly support the upkeep of the inmates.

They appealed to the general public, corporate bodies and CSOs to emulate Mr. Bimpeh’s example and extend support to the facilities.

 

 

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Amakyebare R/C Primary Rehabilitated After Storm Damage

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ERNEST BEST ANANE
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The Rehabilitated RC Primary School at Amakyebare

Pupils and Teachers of Amakyebare R/C Primary School can now enjoy a safer and more conducive learning environment, following the successful rehabilitation and commissioning of the school by the Atwima Nwabiagya North District Assembly.

The facility, which suffered extensive damage during a thunderstorm in February 2025, has been fully restored through the intervention of the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Mba Zachariah Anabila.

The rehabilitation exercise was financed through the District Assembly Common Fund, as part of a broader effort by the government to expand access to quality education.

Prior to the renovation, the deteriorated condition of the school posed a serious concern to both education authorities and residents.

The refurbished school now boasts of modern infrastructure, including newly reconstructed three-unit and four-unit classroom blocks, a staff common room, a headmaster’s office, a urinal facility, electricity and ceiling fans to improve comfort for both pupils and teachers.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr. Anabila said the swift intervention was driven by appeals from traditional leaders and the urgent need to restore normal academic activities in the community.

According to him, he was deeply moved by the concerns raised by Nananom over the state of the school, hence the need to act quickly to provide a conducive learning environment for the children of Amakyebare and surrounding communities.

According to the DCE, the commissioning marks the beginning of a series of project inaugurations across the district.

He further revealed that the Akwaboah community has, for the first time since independence, received a basic school under his administration.

Mr. Anabila reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child of school-going age has access to education, emphasising efforts to bring schools closer to communities.

He disclosed that in just 10 months in office, he has overseen the completion of 38 physical projects spanning sanitation, water, healthcare, road reshaping and educational infrastructure and assured to do more to improve the lives of the people.

He also called for continued collaboration with traditional authorities to accelerate development across the district.

Meanwhile, traditional leaders used the occasion to appeal to the government to prioritise the tarring of the road linking Maaban to Amakyebare to improve accessibility.

The headmaster of the school, Mr. Atta Kwasi, expressed gratitude to the District Assembly for the timely intervention.

He noted that while the new facilities have significantly improved conditions, more classrooms are needed to match the growing student population.

According to him, the new classrooms and facilities have brought great relief, but increasing enrolment means they will need additional infrastructure to sustain effective teaching and learning.

 

 

 

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Yabi organises fundraising in aid of GH¢560k Community Centre

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Solomon Owusu Antwi, Assemblyman Yabi Electoral area

The Yabi community in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region, under the auspices of the Chief of Yabi, Nana Kwame Frimpong Kontonmire II and the Assembly member has organised a Fundraising in aid of the construction of a proposed Community Centre.

The organisers have targeted to raise GHC560,000 for the completion of the 1,000 capacity facility on an acre of land released by the chief.

The programme was chaired by Nana Osei Banahene, the Aduana Abusuapanin of Yabi.

Front View of the Proposed Community Centre

Solomon Owusu Antwi, Assembly Member for Yabi Electoral area disclosed at the launch of the fund raising ceremony that after engagement with the Chief of Yabi and the Unit Committee, it was decided that the community needed a Community Centre for social gatherings, engagements and funerals, among others.

He explained that the project is a “self-help” initiative and that with the land for the project already available, each household in the area has been levied to contribute one bag of cement and one iron rod (14mm) towards the project.

The Assemblyman assured that with the help of the Unit Committee members every penny received would be accounted for and also ensure it is used for its intended purposes.

Antwi, therefore, called on philanthropists, civil societies, government and NGOs to come to their aid towards the successful completion of the project.

From Oswald P. Freiku, Atwima Yabi 

 

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Lagos Approves ₦50,000 Salary Support For Workers 

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Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved an additional ₦50,000 to state workers’ salaries for May.

The move is part of efforts to cushion the prevailing economic hardship, particularly the impact of rising fuel prices.

The governor announced this during the 2026 Workers Day celebration themed “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work”, held on Friday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

“Our job has always been to make sure that the city we are building is also a city that works for you,” the governor said.

“We know that the prices of fuel are rising. We know we did not cause the war in Iran, but we are feeling its impact. So this government has made the decision that for this May, there will be an additional ₦50,000 for every worker in Lagos State, irrespective of grades – ₦50,000 across the board.”

Sanwo-Olu reiterated that the intervention, which will be reviewed, underscores his administration’s resolve to ensure that Lagos remains not only a functional city but one that works for its residents, especially the workforce that drives its growth and development.

The governor, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised that the welfare of workers remains central to his administration’s agenda, adding that the government will continue to deploy sustained support measures to ease economic pressures and improve living conditions.

According to him, the administration has spent the past seven years systematically tackling these challenges through targeted interventions aimed at improving welfare, dignity, and productivity.

Credit: channelstv.com

 

Peter Obi Announces ‘Decision To Leave ADC’

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Peter Obi

Presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has announced his “decision to leave” the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a reflective message shared on his official X handle on Sunday, Obi cited a worsening political climate marked by internal crises, external interference, and growing hostility within party structures.

The former Anambra State governor, who ran for president on the Labour Party platform in 2023, described Nigeria’s political space as increasingly toxic, where intimidation, insecurity, and persistent scrutiny have become the norm.

He lamented that systems meant to protect citizens now often work against them, while individuals striving for sincere service face mounting pressure both publicly and privately.

Clarifying his decision, Obi stated that his exit was not due to any personal grievances with party leaders, including former Senate President David Mark or former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both of whom he said he continues to respect.

Instead, he pointed to a pattern of internal division, legal disputes, and what he described as the infiltration of destabilising forces—similar to challenges he previously encountered in the Labour Party.

“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.

“However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.”

Obi also decried a broader societal trend where integrity, humility, and adherence to due process are often misinterpreted as weakness. He expressed concern that genuine efforts toward nation-building are increasingly undermined by suspicion, exclusion, and political maneuvering focused more on control than service.

Credit: channelstv.com

Nigeria summons South African envoy over attacks on its nationals

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks

Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner over a spate of recent attacks on foreigners in the southern African nation.

Nigeria will formally convey its “profound concern” at a meeting on Monday over incidents in South Africa, saying they could affect existing relations between the countries, according to a foreign ministry statement.

The meeting will focus on recent marches held by anti-immigrant groups and “documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses”, it said.

At least two Nigerians and four Ethiopians have been killed in recent weeks, local media reported, while there have been attacks on citizens of other African countries.

As Africa’s most industrialised country, people from elsewhere in the continent have long travelled to South Africa to seek work.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks but also cautioned foreigners to respect local laws.

He used his Freedom Day address last week – marking the country’s first democratic elections in 1994 – to remind South Africans of the support other African nations had given in the struggle against the racist system of apartheid.

But some South Africans accuse foreigners of being in the country illegally, taking jobs from locals and having links to crime, especially drugs trafficking.

Anti-immigrant groups have been stopping people outside hospitals and schools demanding to see their identity papers.

Credit: bbc.com

Tinubu leaves Abuja for France on state visit

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will embark on a three-nation trip to Kenya, Rwanda, and France. President Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, said Tinubu will first stop in France. Onanuga said President Tinubu will later leave France for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled from May.

This was contained in a statement Onanuga issued via his X handle @aonanuga1956 on Friday, May 1, 2026.

According to the statement, the summit with the theme “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth” is co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron of France and President William Ruto of Kenya. The presidential aide said Tinubu’s participation underscores Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic.

Onanuga explained that the summit focuses on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of global financing architecture, and climate action. President Tinubu will depart Nairobi at the end of the Kenyan summit for Kigali, Rwanda.

Tinubu will attend the annual Africa CEO Forum, with the theme “Scale or Fail”, taking place between May 14th and 15th. “At the two summits, President Tinubu will deliver statements highlighting his administration’s ongoing reforms to reposition the nation as a prime destination for investment and growth.”

“He will also hold high-level meetings with top-tier global and African business leaders,” Onanuga said President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by some of his ministers and senior aides. The presidential aide said Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the end of the Rwanda summit.

Credit: legit.ng

 

TUC calls for Living Wage in Ghana

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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WR Minister Joseph Nelson addressing the parade

This year’s May Day celebration in the Western Region was marked by strong calls for improved worker welfare and a renewed push for development initiatives, as labour leaders demanded the adoption of a living wage while government highlighted plans to expand healthcare and economic opportunities.

The Western and Western North Regional Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Samuel Polley, led calls for government to move beyond the current minimum wage framework and adopt a living wage system that reflects the true cost of living and guarantees dignity for workers.

“While government may have made efforts towards achieving macroeconomic stability, the critical questions remain: how does this impact the everyday life of workers? Does this translate into decent jobs for our teeming unemployed youth?” he questioned.

The May Day parade held at GSTS

Mr Polley maintained that sustainable livelihoods and decent work must be the true indicators of economic progress, urging authorities to ensure that growth translates into tangible benefits for workers.

“We, as workers, respectfully call on government to move beyond the concept of minimum wages and work towards the implementation of living wages—wages that fairly meet the cost of living and ensure dignity for all workers,” he appealed.

The concerns raised by organised labour resonated strongly with the theme for the 2026 celebration, “Pivoting to Growth, Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods Beyond Macroeconomic Stability,” which underscored the need for inclusive growth and job creation.

Addressing the gathering, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson described the occasion as more than a ceremonial event, but a moment to recognise the contribution of workers across all sectors.

“To every worker in the formal and informal sectors… I say on behalf of Government and the people of the Western Region—Ayekoo! Well done,” he said, extending greetings on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Regional Coordinating Council, and traditional authorities.

The Minister stressed that macroeconomic stability must translate into real improvements in people’s lives. “Stability must translate into jobs. Stability must translate into increased productivity. Stability must translate into improved incomes, business expansion, industrial activity, and sustainable livelihoods for ordinary workers and their families,” he stated.

He emphasised that economic recovery would only be meaningful if workers experienced it in the form of decent employment, secure incomes and improved working conditions.

Highlighting ongoing initiatives in the region, Mr Nelson pointed to expanded round-the-clock operations at the Port of Takoradi, efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education through the Ghana TVET Service and Takoradi Technical University, and investments in infrastructure, small and medium-scale enterprises, and market access.

“True growth is measured by the number of decent jobs created, by the security of the worker, by the fairness of wages paid, and by the hope a family has for tomorrow,” he added.

The Minister also acknowledged concerns among workers, including low remuneration, rising living costs, occupational risks and job insecurity, and called for sustained dialogue between stakeholders to address these challenges.

He urged employers in both the public and private sectors to uphold labour standards, stressing that “workers are not expendable tools; workers are development partners.”

At the same time, Mr Nelson encouraged workers to match demands for improved conditions with discipline, punctuality, integrity and productivity, noting that the evolving global economy requires adaptability and technological readiness.

He directed a strong message to the youth, urging them to invest in skills and innovation to remain competitive in the future job market. “The jobs of tomorrow will reward skill, creativity, technology and enterprise. Your hands and your minds are your greatest capital,” he said.

 

 

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Mahama: the Jobs are coming!

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ISAAC AKWETEY-OKUNOR
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John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s economic recovery into tangible benefits for workers, promising expanded job opportunities, improved livelihoods, and stronger accountability in governance as the nation charts a path beyond macroeconomic stability.

Speaking before thousands of jubilant workers, labor leaders, and government officials at Jackson Park in Koforidua during the 2026 May Day celebrations on Friday, May 1, President Mahama declared that the next chapter of Ghana’s economic reform agenda would focus squarely on inclusive growth, employment generation, and sustainable livelihoods for all citizens.

The colorful national event, held under the theme, “Pivoting to Growth, Jobs, and Sustainable Livelihoods: Resetting Ghana Beyond Macroeconomic Stability,” brought together workers from diverse sectors across the country, members of Organised Labour, and key state officials in a united reflection on Ghana’s economic progress and the future of work in an evolving national economy.

Delivering the keynote address, President Mahama stressed that the government’s mission goes beyond restoring fiscal discipline and economic balance, noting that real success would be measured by how economic growth translates into opportunities and prosperity for ordinary Ghanaians.

“Our mission is clear -we want to turn stability into opportunity. We will not just manage the economy; we will expand it to create jobs and prosperity,” the president declared to loud applause from the gathering.

In a direct assurance to Ghanaian workers, the president pledged that the gains of economic recovery would not remain confined to economic indicators and policy reports, but would be felt in homes, workplaces, and communities nationwide.

He emphasized that teachers, technicians, industrial workers, health professionals, and employees across key sectors would be among the first beneficiaries of the country’s renewed growth agenda.

“I wish to promise the Ghanaian worker that as the economy grows; you will be the first to benefit. Growth must filter down to the pocket of the Ghanaian worker,” he stated.

President Mahama also used the occasion to underscore his administration’s determination to strengthen transparency and accountability in public service, reiterating that leadership must remain answerable to the people.

He noted that corruption continues to undermine national development and pledged intensified efforts to combat the menace through stronger institutional enforcement and judicial efficiency.

In that regard, he commended the judiciary for establishing additional High Courts to accelerate the prosecution of audit-related offences, describing the move as a significant step toward ensuring public officials are held accountable.

On the nation’s energy front, President Mahama offered reassurance following recent disruptions linked to the Akosombo Dam fire incident, announcing that technical teams had successfully restored full power generation capacity.

He said the government remains focused on strengthening Ghana’s energy infrastructure to guarantee stability for industries, businesses, and households.

The president’s address resonated strongly with workers gathered at the national celebration, many of whom view employment security, fair wages, and improved living conditions as central to Ghana’s broader economic recovery.

This year’s May Day observance not only celebrated the resilience and contribution of the Ghanaian worker, but also set the tone for a renewed national conversation on productivity, decent work, and inclusive economic transformation, one in which workers are expected to be at the heart of Ghana’s reset agenda.

 

 

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