Simone Giger, the outgoing Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo, has cautioned that while Ghana has so far avoided major terrorist attacks despite rising insecurity in the Sahel, the country must remain vigilant as extremist threats continue to spread towards coastal West Africa.
According to her, Ghana has been either “very apt or very lucky” in preventing major terrorist incidents, but the deteriorating security situation in neighbouring countries remains a cause for concern.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, July 9, Ambassador Giger said Switzerland has been closely monitoring the worsening security situation across the sub-region, particularly in Benin and Togo.
“We all know what is going on in the Sahel, and we have been concerned. We’re seeing also, especially in Benin and Togo, the encroachment towards the coastal states,” she said.
She noted that Ghana has so far been spared the kind of attacks witnessed elsewhere in the region.
“Ghana has been, I don’t know whether very apt or very lucky, or a combination of the two, that you haven’t really seen any major terrorist attacks on your territory. But it’s something that we are observing, obviously, with great concern,” she stated.
Ambassador Giger, who oversees Switzerland’s diplomatic relations with Ghana, Benin and Togo, said all three countries have recognised the growing security challenge and have stepped up efforts to address it.
“I do believe that all three countries I’m responsible for have really understood that this is a major challenge and that they have to ramp up their security response,” she said.
She stressed, however, that military and security measures alone would not be sufficient to counter violent extremism, calling instead for sustained investment in vulnerable communities.
“I also am convinced that all three countries understood that this is also a question of long-term prevention, working on the root causes,” she said.
According to her, Ghana, Benin and Togo have increasingly focused on developing their northern regions to reduce the conditions that make communities susceptible to extremist influence.
“I see Benin, Togo and Ghana have really started to invest in their northern territories and think that if people are disgruntled, if they’re unhappy, they are vulnerable,” she said.
Expressing hope that the region would successfully contain the threat, Ambassador Giger added, “I will be watching from afar, and obviously, I hope that this tide can be stemmed.”
