The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has moved to clarify misconceptions surrounding Ghana’s recently signed Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union, insisting that the agreement does not permit foreign military bases or troop deployment in the country.
The clarification comes amid rising public debate and misinformation about the scope of the deal, which has sparked concerns over national sovereignty.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, the Ministry stressed that the agreement is strictly designed to deepen cooperation in addressing evolving security challenges and strengthening Ghana’s national and regional security systems.
It categorically stated that the partnership “neither provides for the establishment of foreign military bases in Ghana nor permits the stationing of foreign troops on Ghanaian soil,” assuring that Ghana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fully protected.
The agreement focuses instead on collaboration in key security areas, including counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, cybersecurity, border management, and support for peacekeeping and crisis response operations.
It also provides for technical assistance, training, and equipment support to enhance the capacity of Ghana’s security agencies.
According to the Ministry, the partnership is not a new development but a formalisation of long-standing cooperation between Ghana and the European Union, structured to improve coordination and effectiveness.
The government explained that the agreement reflects Ghana’s response to emerging regional threats, particularly violent extremism in the Sahel and increasing maritime security risks in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Ministry further urged the public to disregard claims suggesting otherwise, describing such interpretations as misleading and inconsistent with the contents of the agreement.
It reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to its foreign policy principles, including non-alignment, Pan-Africanism, good neighbourliness, and peaceful coexistence.
The Ministry also emphasised that all international partnerships will continue to be guided by transparency, accountability, and the protection of national interest, stressing that Ghana will not enter any arrangement that compromises its sovereignty or that of its neighbours.
