Ghana: EU signs its first security and defence partnership in Africa
The European Union and Ghana signed, on March 24, 2026, in Accra, a landmark security and defence partnership. This agreement, the first of its kind between the EU and an African country, aims to strengthen cooperation in response to rising security threats in West Africa. By the editorial team
On March 24, 2026, the European Union took a strategic step in its relations with the African continent by signing, in Accra, a security and defence partnership with Ghana. The agreement was signed by Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.
A turning point in the EU’s approach to the continent’s security challenges
This is the first agreement of its kind concluded between the European Union and an African state, marking a turning point in the EU’s approach to the continent’s security challenges.
The partnership aims to structure and deepen bilateral cooperation in key areas such as counterterrorism, conflict prevention, cybersecurity, intelligence sharing, and crisis management. It comes at a time of growing instability in the Sahel, where armed groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have increasingly expanded their activities toward West African coastal countries.
Thanks to this new agreement, we will be able to cooperate more closely in areas such as counterterrorism, conflict prevention and cybersecurity
At the signing ceremony, Kaja Kallas emphasized the practical objectives of the agreement: “Thanks to this new agreement, we will be able to cooperate more closely in areas such as counterterrorism, conflict prevention and cybersecurity. These are all important issues for our citizens, both in Europe and here in Ghana.”
The partnership also builds on ongoing EU support to Ghana through the European Peace Facility, a financial instrument designed to strengthen the defence capacities of partner countries. Since 2023, this program has enabled the delivery of military equipment, including surveillance drones, anti-drone systems, and logistical assets, for a total amount of €50 million (approximately $54 million).
Ghana, a key pillar of stability in a region under increasing pressure
Beyond material support, the agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Ghana’s institutional and operational capacities, as the country is widely seen as a key pillar of stability in a region under increasing pressure. Like its neighbors, Ghana faces the risk of spillover violence from the Sahel, while playing a central role in regional prevention and cooperation efforts.
More broadly, this partnership is part of a wider EU strategy to expand security cooperation globally. Since 2024, the Union has signed similar agreements with several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and India. With Ghana, Brussels is now extending this approach to Africa, at a time when security has become a central pillar of economic development and political stability.
