Ghana Becomes First African Country to Enter Into Defense Partnership With EU
On 24 March 2026, the European Union (EU) and Ghana signed a Security and Defense Partnership Agreement in Accra. EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Ghana’s Vice-President Jane Popku-Agyemang signed the Agreement on behalf of both sides. The Partnership aims to strengthen cooperation on peace, security and defense matters.
This Partnership represents the first such agreement between an African country and the EU. Ghana could potentially serve as a model for other African countries and even other non-EU states. The Agreement is grounded in shared values, including democracy, multilateralism, good governance, and the rule of law.
In particular, the Partnership attempts to address the following:
- Regional instability and terrorism
- Hybrid and cyber threats
- Maritime security challenges
- Climate-related security risks
- Transnational organized crime
The Partnership establishes a structured cooperation mechanism in the form of an annual EU-Ghana Security and Defense Dialogue. Such regular dialogue shall be able to sustain political engagement and recalibrate strategic direction in the face of current security challenges.
Under the European Peace Facility, the EU also carried out a handover ceremony to Ghana of defense equipment worth about EUR 50 million. The equipment includes electronic warfare systems, drones and ordnance for the benefit of the Ghana Armed Forces. It will contribute to supporting peace and security efforts in West Africa.
The Partnership opens a new chapter in the EU-Ghana relationship. By combining concrete ground operational support with high-level political dialogue, the EU and Ghana reaffirm their commitment to address today’s security concerns together.