EU to boost Ghana’s defense with new support package

The European Union is set to significantly increase its defense support for Ghana, aiming to bolster the nation's security sector against escalating threats in the West African sub-region. This enhanced assistance, scheduled for next year under the European Peace Facility (EPF), is designed to help Ghana confront emerging security challenges and prevent the spillover of violent extremism originating from the Sahel.

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The security situation in the West African sub-region was evolving rapidly, with instability in the Sahel continuing to pose a serious threat to Ghana and its neighbours.

The announcement came during a meeting in Accra between Ghana's Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, and an EU delegation led by Ambassador Rune Skinnebech. The delegation included key figures from the European Peace Facility, underscoring the importance of the deepening security partnership between Ghana and the EU.

Deputy Minister Genfi highlighted the rapidly evolving security landscape in West Africa, emphasizing the persistent threat posed by instability in the Sahel to Ghana and its neighbors. He detailed the government's commitment to strengthening the Ghana Armed Forces, with a specific focus on enhancing the Ghana Navy's capabilities to protect the country's maritime interests, critical infrastructure, and other strategic national assets.

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The government was taking deliberate steps to strengthen the operational capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces, with particular focus on enhancing the capabilities of the Ghana Navy to safeguard the country’s waters, critical infrastructure and other strategic national assets.

Ms. Dorota Dlouchy-Suliga, Head of Division for the EPF, reaffirmed the EU's dedication to collaborating with Ghana on shared security concerns. She explained that the planned EPF support would further strengthen Ghana's defense capabilities, contributing to peace and stability within Ghana and the broader West African region. This engagement follows extensive EU investment, exceeding €100 million, in equipment, training, and capacity-building programs for Ghana's security agencies, which have already improved their operational effectiveness.

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The planned support under the European Peace Facility would further enhance Ghana’s defence capabilities, while contributing to peace, stability and security in both Ghana and the wider West African sub-region.