President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will on Tuesday, September 15, convene a consultative meeting with members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deliberate on measures to resolve the political crisis in Mali.

The meeting will take place at Peduase in the Eastern Region.

President Akufo-Addo was elected Chairman of the ECOWAS last Monday, September 7, 2020.

At a press briefing in Accra on Sunday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said President Akufo-Addo hopes to reach a consensus aimed at preventing an escalation of the tensions in Mali.

“The consultative meeting being convened by the chair of the authority of Heads of States and Government on the political situation in Mali on September 15, 2020, at Peduase is part of the mediation efforts of ECOWAS to return Mali to constitutional rule and to prevent them from deteriorating further.”

Road closures

Consequently, some roads within Accra would be closed for smooth passage for the heads of states.

The affected roads include:

The Jubilee Lounge (Kotoka International Airport) to the Liberation road at Opeibea, Airport by-pass through the Liberation road
Kempinski Hotel to National Theatre on the Independence Avenue, the Liberation road through to N4 to Peduase.
Liberation road from 37 through Obasanjo Street to Tang Palace Hotel.
Independence Avenue from National theatre to Arko -Adjei.

Mali crisis

Mali's President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was overthrown on August 18, 2020.
Mr Keïta won a second term in elections in 2018, but there has been anger over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and a dispute over legislative elections. It has prompted several large protests in recent months.
Following his overthrow, Mr Keïta was detained by the soldiers but was later freed.

This was the fourth coup in the West African state since it gained independence from France in 1960.