West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) held a memorial event in Accra on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in honor of the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The memorial dialogue provided opportunity to reflect on the impact of the momentous event and how it has shaped security globally in the last two decades.
In a statement read by WACCE’s Executive Director, Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar paid tribute to the victims and underscored the need for more coordinated and collaborative approach to addressing security.
‘‘Today, we honor the lives lost on that fateful day. While this day serves as a solemn moment of remembrance, it also offers a chance to reflect on the lasting impact 9/11 has had on global security.
The tragedy reshaped both national and international policies, forcing a critical reassessment of how we approach counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and the balance between security and civil liberties.
The events of 9/11 not only marked a turning point in the fight against terrorism but also stressed the urgent need for coordinated efforts to prevent such atrocities from occurring again’’.
The panelists recounted the moment the attacks took place, and what it meant to them. They highlighted the importance of learning the lessons, sharing best practices and building a stronger collaborative commitment to keeping the world safer.
Insights from both panelists and audience bothered on increased security measures and awareness, the threat within the West African context, the current geopolitical contestations and it’s implications for security, Ghanaian state counter-terrorism measures as well as gendered perspectives on the threat.
Madam Theodora William Anti, a panelist and Executive Director for the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) explained the increasing phenomenon of women and girls as not only victims but also as perpetrators in terrorist violence in the region.
She touched on ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the African Union’s Counter-Terrorism Framework and how they have been implemented. Madam Anti was pleased that some security institutions are making some progress in increasing the numbers of women in the services and indicated that the Ghana Fire Service, key frontline responders, has achieved parity between men and women.
As one of panelists, Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar used the opportunity to highlight the profound security implications it has had for West Africa, and stressed on the danger posed by the threat of violent extremism in the Sahel and to coastal states.
The region has experienced a rise in extremist violence, with groups such as Boko Haram, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) posing significant threats.
Referring to the latest 2023 report by the Global Terrorism Index, he warned that the Sahel region is now the epicenter of terrorism worldwide, contributing nearly half (43%) of the global death toll.
Rising from 1% of the global total in 2007, incidents in the Sahel have increased by over 2000% in the last 16 years, overtaking the Middle East and Maghreb as the world’s foremost terrorist zone.
Mr. Abdul Razak Yakubu, a Political Advisor and Governance Consultant, underscored the importance of international and inter-agency collaborations and intelligence sharing as a legacy of 9/11 attacks.
The lessons learned from that day continue to guide global security practices, encouraging us to remain vigilant, collaborative, and resilient. By reflecting on these lessons and adopting proactive strategies, we can strive towards a safer and more secure world.
The event was attended by a select group of key officials from various missions including the US Embassy, the UNDP, British High Commission, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Ministry of National Security, National Center for Coordination of Early and Response Mechanism, Civil Society Organizations and the media.
