Ghana has signed a defence agreement with the European Union (EU) to strengthen security cooperation amid rising militant threats in neighbouring countries.
The agreement was signed in Accra by EU Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas and Ghana’s Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. It is expected to enhance collaboration in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and other key areas.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang said; “Ghana is the first African country to enter into such an agreement with the EU, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening regional security and stability.”
According to media reports, “Ghana has so far remained largely untouched by militant violence, while the surrounding West African region has become a hotbed of activity by affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group.”
In his remarks at the joint press conference, Ghana’s National security Coordinator, Osman Abdul Razak said that the agreement “signals the EU’s determination to support Ghana’s efforts at tackling emerging threats both at the national and at the regional levels”.
Addressing the news conference, Kallas stated that the EU supports West African countries like Ghana to “counter terrorism, strengthen border security and enhance maritime security”.
Also, during the visit to Accra, the EU representatives delivered drones, anti-drone systems, bomb disposal vehicles and motorcycles to the Ghanaian military.
In recent years, al-Qaeda and IS affiliates have gained territory in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. They have also carried out attacks in Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo and Nigeria.
AP
