Ghana’s President Appoints Larry Gbevlo-Lartey as Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States

Ghana's President

In a strategic move to enhance regional cooperation and address security concerns, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Larry Gbevlo-Lartey as a special envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This appointment, announced on January 21, 2025, marks a significant step in Ghana’s foreign policy, focusing on peace, stability, and collaboration in the volatile Sahel region.

Who is Larry Gbevlo-Lartey?

Larry Gbevlo-Lartey is a retired lieutenant colonel, who previously served as Ghana’s National Security Coordinator. His background in security and diplomacy positions him as a credible bridge between Ghana and the Sahel states. His appointment is seen as an attempt to leverage his military and security acumen for diplomatic gains, particularly in understanding and addressing the complex security threats in the region.

The Sahel Region: Context and Challenges

The Sahel is a semi-arid strip of land stretching across Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, encompassing countries like Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. This region is known for its harsh climate and is currently facing multiple challenges including terrorism, political instability due to coups, and environmental degradation. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, has emerged as a response to these issues, seeking to foster a more autonomous approach to regional security and economic stability outside traditional Western influence.

According to Accra-based security expert Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Gbevlo-Lartey’s appointment demonstrates Ghana’s intention to build trust and mend ties with the Sahel’s transitional leaders. Since Mahama returned to office in December 2024, he has prioritized improving regional diplomacy, an approach that aligns with his efforts to stabilize Ghana’s own recovering economy. Observers note that Gbevlo-Lartey, a seasoned figure in Ghana’s security landscape, has experience that may foster common ground with AES officials.

Ghana’s Strategic Move

Ghana’s decision to appoint an envoy to this alliance is indicative of a broader strategy to engage more directly with regional neighbors on security and governance issues. This move comes at a time when the Sahel region is dealing with the fallout from military coups and the subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, which has distanced itself from the larger Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Ghana’s initiative could be seen as an effort to maintain peace and influence in the region, potentially facilitating dialogue between the alliance and ECOWAS, from which the three countries have effectively withdrawn.

Implications for Regional Stability

By appointing Gbevlo-Lartey, Ghana aims to strengthen its diplomatic footprint in the Sahel, fostering trust and cooperation. The envoy’s role will likely involve mediation, sharing Ghana’s experiences in democratic governance, and possibly aiding in the negotiation of issues like counter-terrorism strategies, border security, and the reintegration of these states into regional economic and political structures. This could also mean Ghana playing a pivotal role in easing tensions with Western powers, notably France, which has had strained relations with the junta-led governments of the Sahel states.

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Ghana’s Broader Foreign Policy Adjustments

This appointment is part of a larger reshuffle in Ghana’s government, including the naming of Edward Omane Boamah as the new defense minister, which indicates a focus on enhancing Ghana’s defense and security policies both domestically and internationally. President Mahama’s administration appears to be recalibrating its approach to regional diplomacy, aiming for a more proactive stance in conflict resolution and regional leadership.

The selection of Larry Gbevlo-Lartey as an envoy to the Sahel Alliance is a clear signal of Ghana’s intent to play a constructive role in regional politics. By engaging with the Sahel states, Ghana aims to address immediate security threats and to influence the broader political landscape of West Africa towards stability and economic integration. This diplomatic outreach could set a precedent for how nations within Africa approach regional challenges amidst changing geopolitical dynamics.

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