Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of North Tongu has hinted on President Akufo-Addo's plans to deploy Ghanaian soldiers to fight against the ongoing coup in Niger.

According to him, president Akufo-Addo must halt his strategy and present his policy on Niger to Parliament for thorough debate and scrutiny.

However, he criticized the president's refusal to do so, labeling it as undemocratic and reckless.

In a tweet, Mr Ablakwa said “President Akufo-Addo must immediately stop his mobilization of Ghanaian soldiers for an ECOWAS war in Niger. He must submit his Niger Policy to Parliament for scrutiny. War & Bloodshed cannot be the solution; Diplomacy & Constructive Dialogue is. Africa needs a new leadership.”

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened an Extraordinary Session on August 10, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria, under the leadership of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority. This session followed a previous one held on July 30, 2023, in response to the unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the Presidential Guard in Niger on July 26, 2023.

During the gathering, ECOWAS reaffirmed its strong condemnation of the attempted coup d'état and the ongoing unlawful imprisonment of President Mohamed Bazoum, along with his family and government officials.

ECOWAS also expressed deep concern about the conditions of President Bazoum's detention and held the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) accountable for his safety, as well as the safety of his family and government members.

In a subsequent communique, ECOWAS reiterated its commitment to the measures and principles previously agreed upon during the extraordinary summit held on Niger on July 30, 2023. As a response to the crisis, ECOWAS has taken decisive action, including enforcing border closures, imposing strict travel bans, and freezing assets of individuals or groups obstructing peaceful efforts aimed at restoring constitutional order in Niger.

“Warn member states who, by their action directly or indirectly, hinder the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences for their action before the Community; Call on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by ECOWAS on the situation in Niger;

“Further call on all partner countries and institutions, including the United Nations, to support ECOWAS in its efforts to ensure a quick restoration of constitutional order, in conformity with its normative instruments;Direct the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions ;

“Direct the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to immediately activate the ECOWAS Standby Force with all its elements;

“Order the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger; Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”