Ghana clarifies new EU defence partnership

The Government of Ghana has signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union (EU) aimed at strengthening national and regional security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

In a statement issued in Accra on April 14, 2026, the Ministry said the agreement provides a structured framework for cooperation in key areas, including counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, cybersecurity, border management, and support for peacekeeping and crisis response operations. The partnership also includes technical assistance, training, and the provision of equipment to support Ghana’s security agencies.

The Ministry clarified that the agreement builds on longstanding collaboration between Ghana and the EU in security and governance, formalising and deepening existing efforts within a more coordinated framework.

Addressing public concerns, the Ministry categorically stated that the partnership does not provide for the establishment of foreign military bases in Ghana nor allow the stationing of foreign troops on Ghanaian soil. It stressed that Ghana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fully protected under the arrangement.

The Ministry further noted that misinformation circulating about the agreement is inaccurate and does not reflect its intent or provisions.

According to the statement, Ghana’s decision to enter into the partnership is driven by evolving security challenges in the West African sub-region, particularly the threat of violent extremism in the Sahel and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Ministry reaffirmed that Ghana remains committed to its policy of non-alignment and will continue to engage international partners based on mutual respect and shared interests. It added that the country’s positions on global issues, including its stance at the United Nations on the transatlantic slave trade, remain unchanged.

Ghana also reiterated its commitment to Pan-Africanism, good neighbourliness, and peaceful coexistence, stressing that it will not enter into any agreement that undermines the security or sovereignty of neighbouring states.

The government emphasised its continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of national sovereignty in all international engagements.