ECOWAS CDP media network calls for strengthened security

The ECOWAS Community Development Programme (ECOWAS-CDP) media network, has condemned the killing of more than 20 people in a terrorist attack at the Splendid Hotel and the Cappuccino café at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso last Friday.

The network described the attack on innocent citizens, staff and guests as barbaric vis-à-vis the destruction at the hotel and the nearby café.

A statement, jointly issued by the Chairman of the sub-regional network, Francis Asamoah Tuffour and Chairperson of the Ghana Chapter, Mrs Hannah Awadzi, described as worrying, the havoc and atrocities that terrorists and insurgent groups were causing to innocent people and countries.

The statement said the sophisticated nature at which crime is committed globally in recent times, calls for total collaboration by individuals, groups and stakeholders to deal with the situation.

“Terrorism, atrocities and other heinous crimes, have taken centre stage in the world; an affront and worse form of human rights violation and required that we all join forces with the security agencies to stem the act before the situation gets out of hand,” the statement said.

The situation, the statement noted demands vigilance on the part of all, and report or arrest anybody whose mannerism(s), action or activity creates suspicious or poses threat to individuals, communities or member states.

The network also cautioned shadow parties and interest groups who could best describe as 'spoilers' to refrain from influencing or aiding the perpetrators either with weapons, money or grenade for their selfish interests to the detriment of innocent lives who are kill, maim or force(d) out from their homes, villages communities or countries without thinking of the repercussions.

Apart from putting fear in the lives of people, the act closes door to tourists and slows development in the affected communities and countries.

The network expressed condolences to the relatives who lost their lives in the attack and in similar violence in parts of Mali, Nigeria among other state(s) and by extension, counties outside the sub-region, especially Cameroon while wishing the injured speedy recovery.

It therefore urged civil society and faith based organisations and other bodies to canvas against such acts while urging institutions, hotels, border posts and the security agencies to intensify their operations.

The ECOWAS-CDP media network is an association of journalists that advocate free movement of people and goods within the sub-region to deepen regional integration among others.