13th Africa Security Symposium (ASEC)
Chairperson's Welcome - Accra, Ghana
It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to the 13th edition of the Africa Security Symposium (ASEC), convened in Accra, Ghana, under the timely and forward-looking theme “Strengthening African Security Through Innovation and Inclusion”.
 
On behalf of the ASEC Secretariat, I extend a warm welcome to distinguished delegates drawn from governments, defence and security institutions, the private sector, multilateral organisations, civil society, and academia from across the African continent and beyond. Your participation affirms ASEC’s standing as a premier Pan-African platform for dialogue, partnership, and action on Africa’s most pressing security challenges.
 
I am Emmanuel Wekem KOTIA PhD, a retired Major General of the Ghana Armed Forces and I am deeply honoured to serve as Chairperson of this 13th edition of ASEC. Throughout my military and professional career, I have remained committed to the principles of African-led solutions, regional cooperation, and the strategic adaptation of security systems to meet evolving threats. As Chairperson, my role is to provide strategic guidance, facilitate meaningful dialogue, and help ensure that the deliberations of this symposium translate into practical, implementable outcomes that advance peace, stability, and resilience across our continent.
 
ASEC2026 is guided by clear and purposeful objectives: to strengthen African-led security initiatives; to advance public-private sector partnerships; to showcase Ghana as a strategic security hub; to support women in security leadership; and to generate actionable outcomes that endure well beyond this symposium. Over the three days, we will engage in robust discussions, share innovative solutions, and explore collaborative approaches that recognise security not only as a matter of defence, but also of governance, technology, inclusion, and sustainable development.
 
The choice of Ghana as host nation is both deliberate and symbolic. Ghana stands as a beacon of democratic stability and regional leadership in Africa. With its long-standing contributions to international peacekeeping, a vibrant defence diplomacy community, and a rapidly growing technology and innovation sector, Ghana is uniquely positioned to host ASEC2026. Accra offers not only a welcoming environment, but also a strategic setting that reflects the capacity of Africa to lead, innovate, and collaborate in addressing its own security priorities.
 
Importantly, ASEC2026 seeks to deliver tangible outcomes. These include the formalisation of new cross-sector alliances between African governments and private technology and logistics partners; the development of consolidated policy and strategy recommendations to be published in a post-event report; and increased local engagement that empowers Ghanaian suppliers, service providers, and youth volunteers through the symposium’s logistical and operational activities. These outcomes reflect our collective commitment to turning dialogue into decisive action.
 
Throughout the symposium, I encourage all participants to engage openly, think boldly, and collaborate purposefully. The security challenges of Africa are complex and interconnected, but so too are our strengths, innovations, and shared aspirations. Through innovation and inclusion, and through partnerships built on trust and mutual respect, we can shape a more secure and resilient future for our continent.
 
Once again, I warmly welcome all participants to Accra and to ASEC2026. I wish you productive deliberations and a successful symposium.
 
Emmanuel KOTIA, PhD
Retired Major General of the Ghana Armed Forces
Chairperson, 13th Africa Security Symposium (ASEC)