Ghana has become the first African nation to sign a security and defense partnership with the European Union.
The agreement, already adopted by the UK, Canada, Japan, and Norway, marks a new phase in counterterrorism and regional security collaboration.
Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang said the pact demonstrates stronger Ghana-EU cooperation in addressing evolving security threats across the Sahel and West Africa.
She highlighted the recent deaths of Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso as a reminder of the persistent dangers facing the region.
Opoku-Agyemang added that regional coordination is vital for protecting lives and maintaining stability, particularly amid complex security challenges in West Africa.
The EU has supported over 30 security projects in Ghana, including around 40 military and civilian training sessions, she said.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that European and African security are deeply interconnected, necessitating closer collaboration on shared threats.
The partnership includes the provision of military equipment for Ghana, such as surveillance drones, anti-drone guns, and motorcycles, Kallas said.
She noted that both parties face security challenges beyond their borders and consistently call for peace in Ukraine, Sudan, the Sahel, and the Middle East.
Kallas described the Ukraine war as an existential European threat with global repercussions, warning against recruiting African nationals into conflicts not their own.
The EU official expressed anticipation for working with Ghana during its upcoming term as African Union chair, reinforcing shared regional and international security goals.
