Challenges To Democracy In West Africa: Ghana's Role In Regional and International Cooperation

Wednesday 22 February, 4:15pm to 6:00pm
Nissan Institute Lecture Theatre, St Antony's College

Convener: Professor Miles Larmer

Speaker: Albert Kan-Dapaah, Hon. Minister of National Security

 

The wave of democracy that blew across the West African region in the late 20th century raised hopes of relative peace and stability. However, recent political turmoil, culminating in democratic reversals in some West African states, has undermined hopes of achieving long-lasting regional stability. Security in the region continues to be undermined by terrorism and violent extremism, rapidly spreading from the Sahel region to coastal West Africa. The poor economic conditions of affected West African countries, accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have severely weakened national and regional responses to security challenges, particularly terrorism.

 

Support from the international community has been largely uncoordinated and less impactful, undermined by realist intentions and parochial geopolitical considerations. Fuelled by a perceived sense of Western indifference and neglect of West Africa’s plight, some West African states are forging new bonds with the East, a strategy that presents both opportunities and risks. Ghana, a beacon of democracy and stability in a region increasingly beset by conflict and a resurgence of military rule, is taking a lead in addressing these growing problems, both on a regional and international stage.

 

In this speaking event, Ghana’s Minister for National Security Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah will highlight the deteriorating security situation in West Africa and its international consequences. The Minister will discuss both the dangers and opportunities emerging from the rapidly changing regional situation. He will identify potential solutions from Ghana’s perspective that require homegrown regional initiatives and international support.

 

The talk will offer new perspectives to engender a renewed sense of urgency to mobilise the international community to resolve the increasingly dire security challenges confronting West African states and their citizens.

 

Free to attend - tickets on Eventbrite here

This talk will also be livestreamed via Teams

The online audience will not be able to take part in the chat or Question and Answer session.

 

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HON. ALBERT KAN-DAPAAH

Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah is a Certified Chartered Accountant . He received his training as a Chartered Accountant in the United Kingdom in 1978. He is also a Fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, United Kingdom and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana.

Prior to his entry into Public Service, Hon. Kan-Dapaah served as the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana and Vice President of the Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa. He worked with International Audit Firm, Panell Kerr Foster (PKF) from 1978 o 1986 in the firm’s offices in Accra, London and Monrovia. At the time of his resignation in 1986, he was the Resident Partner of the firm in Monrovia, Liberia.

Within the Public Service space of Ghana, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah served as the Head of Audit at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust for a year. He subsequently served as Director of Finance at the Electricity Company of Ghana for eight years.

Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah later became a Member of Parliament of Ghana in 1997 and served for four terms up to 2012. In his last term (2009 to 2012), he was the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament of Ghana. Between 2001 and 2008, he served as Minister of State in four Ministries including the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Communications, Ministry for the Interior and Ministry of Defence.

He has been an Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Administration, University of Ghana and at the Graduate School of the University of Professional Studies, Accra. He has an Honorary Doctorate Degree, LLD (Honoris Cuasa) from the University of Professional Studies, Accra and two National Honours; Order of the Volta Companion of the Republic of Ghana and Ordre Du Mono from the Republic of Togo.

From 2017 till date, he continues to serve as the Minister for National Security of the Republic of Ghana.