Ghana president warns of destabilization of West Africa

ACCRA, Ghana, May 30 (UPI) -- Ghana President John Dramani Mahama warned Thursday Islamic militants, if left unchecked, could destabilize the whole of West Africa.

Though Ghana had not been directly affected by a recent wave of militant violence, Mahama told the BBC that no country in West Africa was safe from insurgency.

He said the French operation to drive out al-Qaida in Mali illustrated how West Africa's Sahel region had "become an attractive foothold for insurgents."

"If we allow that foothold to consolidate, then it could affect the stability of our entire region," Mahama said.

He warned the crisis was not over despite the fact that French forces regained territory from Islamic groups, the British broadcster reported.

"There is the danger of asymmetric attacks like we saw in Niger the last few days, and so it is a matter that worries all of us in the sub-region," he said. "And we need to act collectively as a sub-region and a continent and indeed globally to be able to ensure peace and stability."

Mahama backed the African Union's plan to establish a rapid reaction force, suggesting it could be funded by taxing air travel and hotels across the continent, the BBC said.