The Government of Ghana has signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union aimed at enhancing cooperation in addressing emerging security threats and strengthening national and regional security architecture.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agreement provided a structured framework for collaboration in areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, cybersecurity, border management, and support for peacekeeping and crisis response operations.
It said the Partnership would also facilitate technical assistance, training and the provision of equipment to support Ghana’s security agencies.
The Ministry explained that the agreement was not a new or sudden initiative but rather built on longstanding cooperation between Ghana and the European Union, which had over the years supported various security and governance programmes in the country and across the West African sub-region.
It noted that the arrangement formalised and deepened existing collaboration within a coherent and forward-looking framework.
The statement dismissed claims circulating in sections of the public domain suggesting that the agreement would allow the establishment of foreign military bases or the stationing of foreign troops in Ghana.
“The agreement neither provides for the establishment of foreign military bases in Ghana nor permits the stationing of foreign troops on Ghanaian soil,” it said, stressing that Ghana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remained fully protected.
The Ministry assured the public that the cooperation was based on mutual respect, shared interests and Ghana’s national security priorities, and urged citizens to disregard misinformation surrounding the Partnership.
It said Ghana’s decision to enter into the agreement was informed by evolving security dynamics within the West African sub-region, particularly the threat of violent extremism and instability in the Sahel, as well as maritime security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
The statement reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to its longstanding foreign policy principles, including non-alignment, good neighbourliness, Pan-Africanism and peaceful coexistence.
It added that Ghana would not engage in any bilateral or multilateral arrangement that would undermine the sovereignty or territorial integrity of neighbouring states.
The Government reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and the protection of national sovereignty in all international engagements.
GNA