Gov’t Denies Presence of Foreign Military Troops

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly denied claims that Ghana’s newly signed security and defence partnership with the European Union will lead to the establishment of foreign military bases or the deployment of foreign troops on Ghanaian soil.

In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry sought to allay growing public concerns and counter what it described as misinformation surrounding the agreement.

“The Ministry wishes to categorically state that the agreement neither provides for the establishment of foreign military bases in Ghana nor does it permit the stationing of foreign troops on Ghanaian soil,” the statement read. “Ghana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fully protected under this arrangement.”

According to the Ministry, the Security and Defence Partnership between Ghana and the EU establishes a structured framework for cooperation in several critical areas. These include counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, cybersecurity, border management, and support for peacekeeping and crisis response operations.

The agreement will also facilitate technical assistance, specialised training, and the provision of equipment to bolster the work of Ghana’s security agencies.

The Ministry emphasised that the partnership is not a sudden or isolated initiative. Rather, it builds on longstanding collaboration between Ghana and the EU, which has over the years supported various security and governance programmes in the country and across the West African sub-region. The agreement, therefore, formalises and deepens existing cooperation within a coherent, forward-looking framework.

Ghana’s decision to enter into the partnership, the Ministry explained, is informed by the security dynamics within West Africa – particularly the threat of violent extremism and instability in the Sahel, as well as maritime security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.

The government reiterated its commitment to its longstanding policy of non-alignment, stating that it will continue to engage all international partners in a constructive and mutually beneficial manner in pursuit of its national interest.

The Ministry also reaffirmed Ghana’s foreign policy principles of good neighbourliness, Pan-Africanism, and peaceful coexistence. It stressed that Ghana will not enter into any bilateral or multilateral arrangement that would undermine the security, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of its neighbouring states.

“The cooperation is strictly based on mutual respect, shared interests and Ghana’s national security priorities,” the statement added.

The Ministry further noted that Ghana’s principled positions on global historical and moral issues, including its stance at the United Nations on the transatlantic slave trade, remain unchanged.

The government assured the public that it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the protection of national sovereignty in all its international engagements.

“The Ministry wishes to assure the public that such claims are inaccurate and do not reflect the substance or intent of the agreement,” the statement concluded.