President Akufo-Addo has called for the establishment of an ECOWAS Standby Force to address terrorism, piracy, and coups in West Africa. Speaking at the Second International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC) 2024, the President emphasized that no single country can tackle the growing threats of terrorism, violent extremism, organized crime, maritime piracy, and cyber threats alone. "The establishment of the ECOWAS Standby Force will help us prevent coups, piracy, and terrorism in our sub-region," President Akufo-Addo stated. He stressed the importance of collaboration and intelligence sharing among nations, citing initiatives like the Accra Initiative and the ECOWAS Standby Force as essential frameworks for enhancing regional security. "Initiatives like the Accra Initiative and the ECOWAS Standby Force are essential frameworks that enable us to work together more effectively. By building capacity, sharing intelligence, and fostering greater unity among our nations, we can create a safer and more secure Africa," he said. President Akufo-Addo also highlighted the need to address emerging threats such as cybersecurity and climate-induced security risks with the same urgency as traditional threats.