The European Union (EU) has recently donated 105 militarized vehicles to the government of Ghana, as part of their efforts to support the nation’s protection against insurgence in the Sahel Region. The vehicles are part of a 20-million-euro package of equipment to help reinforce the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and are expected to play a pivotal role in fortifying Ghana’s northern frontiers against terrorism.
Background
The donation comes at a time when terrorists are expanding their coast at a much faster pace, making it imperative for Ghana to be vigilant and battle-ready. The recent occurrences in Ghana’s neighboring countries of Burkina Faso and Benin have sent a final warning to Ghana with regards to terrorist threats. However, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that “no single country can confront the terrorist threats alone” and thus advocated collaboration amongst nations facing the challenge and support from partners.
Negotiations and Engagements
The Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, indicated that the commissioning of the vehicles was the outcome of negotiations and engagements with the EU. The President had tasked the Ministers of National Security, Defense, and Foreign Affairs to engage the EU in the nation’s collective quest to curb the southward expansion of terrorism and violent extremism from the Sahel Region to West Africa.
EU's Call for Investment
The Vice President of the EU, Josef Borrell Frontelles, who was in Accra over the weekend to make the donation, said in his remarks that countering terrorism required more than armored vehicles and drones. According to him, successful prevention required improved service provision and job creation, “especially for youth and women.” He also called for investment for socio-economic inclusion in the northern regions of Ghana, adding that a large portion of the EU’s 203-million-euro bilateral cooperation for 2021–2024 was dedicated to those priorities.
Ceremony
The ceremony was held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, in Accra, where President Akufo-Addo received the 105 vehicles from the Vice President of the EU, Josef Borrell Frontelles. Commissioning them for use by the GAF, President Akufo-Addo noted that the vehicles would help bolster Ghana’s capacity to protect its territory and its people from the growing threat of terrorism in the West African region.
This generous donation from the EU is a significant step towards Ghana’s efforts to fortify its northern frontiers against terrorism. The need for Ghana to be vigilant and battle-ready cannot be debated, and collaboration amongst nations facing the challenge and support from partners is imperative. The EU’s call for investment in socio-economic inclusion in the northern regions of Ghana is also noteworthy, as it highlights the importance of addressing root causes of terrorism.
(This article is sourced from thechronicleonline and edited by Efya Forson| Mydailyreports24)
0 Comments