The EU and Ghana have signed a new partnership in security and defence. The agreement was signed in Accra (Ghana) on Tuesday and aims to deepen cooperation on peace, security, and stability.
The agreement was signed by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and Ghana's Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. According to the parties, the agreement marks a new step in relations and is described as the first security and defence partnership between the EU and an African country.
– The security of Europe and Africa is directly interconnected. Therefore, we are signing the first partnerships in security and defence with an African country; Ghana. Together, the EU and Ghana will work more closely on issues that are important to our citizens, such as counter-terrorism, conflict prevention, and cybersecurity, says Kaja Kallas.
In connection with the signing, the EU handed over military equipment to Ghana valued at 50 million euros, financed through the so-called European Peace Facility (EPF). The support includes systems for electronic warfare and equipment for handling explosive materials, and aims to strengthen Ghana's defence capabilities and contribute to stability in the region.
The partnership encompasses a wide range of areas for cooperation, including counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, the EU Security and Defence Initiative (EUSDI) initiative on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, crisis management, and conflict prevention efforts. Issues such as climate-related security risks, border control, and combating organised crime are also included.
The parties plan to establish an annual dialogue to follow up on the cooperation and set strategic direction. According to the EU, it is emphasised that security challenges in Europe and Africa are interconnected, which justifies deepened cooperation.