Foreign Ministry denies EU security pact will allow foreign troops in Ghana

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ghana has firmly dismissed claims that Ghana’s newly signed security agreement with the European Union will permit the establishment of foreign military bases or the deployment of foreign troops in the country.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, the Ministry clarified that the Security and Defence Partnership is strictly focused on strengthening cooperation to address emerging security threats, not on hosting foreign forces.

“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 emphasised, stressing that Ghana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fully protected.

According to the Ministry, the partnership is designed to enhance collaboration in key areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, cybersecurity, border management, and peacekeeping support. It also includes provisions for technical assistance, training, and equipment to boost the capacity of Ghana’s security agencies.

Officials explained that the agreement builds on long-standing cooperation between Ghana and the EU, formalising existing engagements into a more structured framework rather than introducing a completely new arrangement.

Addressing public concerns, the Ministry described claims about foreign troop deployment as misleading and urged citizens to disregard such interpretations.

It noted that Ghana’s decision to deepen ties with the EU is driven by evolving regional security challenges, including rising violent extremism in the Sahel and increasing threats in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Ministry further reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to its core foreign policy principles—non-alignment, Pan-Africanism, good neighbourliness, and peaceful coexistence—assuring that no agreement will compromise the country’s sovereignty or the security of its neighbours.

It added that all international partnerships will continue to prioritise transparency, accountability, and Ghana’s national interest.