The European Union has signed its first security and defence partnership with Ghana. According to EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, Ghana is the first African country to enter into such an agreement with the European Union.

The European Union and Ghana have taken a significant step forward in their partnership on peace, security and defence. The two sides signed a Security and Defence Partnership in Accra, alongside the handover of key military equipment funded under the European Peace Facility.
The partnership was signed by High Representative Kaja Kallas on behalf of the European Union and by Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice-President of Ghana, for the Republic of Ghana.

This milestone reinforces a long-standing partnership grounded in shared values — including democracy, multilateralism, good governance and the rule of law — and reflects a shared commitment to addressing evolving security challenges.

A stronger EU–Ghana partnership for a changing security landscape

In an increasingly complex global and regional environment, security and prosperity are closely interconnected. The new Security and Defence Partnership provides a structured and forward-looking framework to deepen cooperation and address shared threats.

These include:

• Regional instability and terrorism 
• Hybrid and cyber threats 
• Maritime security challenges 
• Climate-related security risks 
• Transnational organised crime 

The partnership establishes a dedicated annual EU–Ghana Security and Defence Dialogue, ensuring sustained political engagement and strategic direction for the partnership.

Concrete support through the European Peace Facility

Alongside the signing, the EU handed over key military equipment as part of a EUR 50 million package under the European Peace Facility. 

The equipment — including electronic warfare systems and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities — will strengthen the Ghana Armed Forces’ ability to: safeguard territorial integrity, enhance national resilience, contribute to regional stability , support peace efforts in West Africa 

A comprehensive and forward-looking partnership

The Security and Defence Partnership covers a wide range of areas, including:

• Peacebuilding and crisis management 
• Maritime security, including in the Gulf of Guinea 
• Counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism 
• Countering hybrid threats and information manipulation 
• Cybersecurity cooperation 
• Conflict prevention and mediation 
• Climate, environment and security nexus 
• Border management and organised crime 
• Security and defence capacity building 
• Women, Peace and Security

A new chapter in EU–Ghana relations

The partnership marks a new phase in EU–Ghana cooperation, strengthening a strategic partnership that contributes to peace, stability and resilience in Ghana, across West Africa and beyond. 

By combining political dialogue with concrete operational support, the EU and Ghana reaffirm their shared commitment to addressing today’s security challenges together.