Ghana signs EU defence pact amid Sahel security concerns
Ghana signed a defence agreement with the European Union in Accra on 24 March aimed at strengthening cooperation against militant Islamist threats in West Africa, BBC News reported.
The deal was signed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ghanaian Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. It covers cooperation on counterterrorism and cybersecurity. Opoku-Agyemang said Ghana is the first African country to sign such an agreement with the EU.
The agreement builds on a €50m EU support package delivered under the European Peace Facility, including equipment to support Ghana’s armed forces and regional security efforts.
EU officials also delivered equipment to Ghana’s military during the visit, including drones, anti-drone systems, bomb disposal vehicles and motorcycles.
Osman Abdul Razak, Ghana’s national security coordinator, said the agreement shows support for efforts to address emerging threats at both national and regional levels, while Kallas said the EU would support countries in the region to counter terrorism, strengthen border security and enhance maritime security.
In a statement, Ghana’s Ministry of the Interior pointed to recent attacks in neighbouring Burkina Faso, including incidents involving Ghanaian nationals, as evidence of the need for stronger security cooperation.
Ghana has not experienced large-scale militant attacks, but activity linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates has expanded across neighbouring countries.
Coastal West African states are seeking to prevent a spill over of violence from the Sahel, where armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State have intensified attacks in recent years, Africanews reported via AFP.
The region now accounts for nearly half of global terrorism-related deaths, according to a recent report.
Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State operate across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, with attacks increasingly affecting neighbouring countries.
Militants are reported to have crossed into northern Ghana from Burkina Faso to regroup and move supplies when under pressure from military operations.
BBC News, Africanews via AFP, EU External Action Service, Ghanian Ministry of the Interior, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
