In a bid to quell growing concerns and speculations, the United States has categorically denied plans to establish a military base in Ghana.
Major General Kenneth P. Ekman, Director of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element (ACE) said this to the media.
Ekman’s visit to Ghana comes on the heels of a similar trip to Nigeria, where he met with government officials and military leadership to discuss shared visions for future bilateral engagements.
In Ghana, he held talks with Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul and Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Peprah, focusing on logistical support and coordination.
The US has been repositioning its forces in the region, with a similar exercise planned for Ghana.
Ekman emphasized that this move is aimed at enhancing stability and prosperity in West Africa, rather than establishing a military presence.
Ghana’s strategic location and maritime power make it an essential partner in regional security efforts.
The US has pledged to deliver military equipment to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in the coming months, a move Ekman says resulted from discussions with Ghanaian counterparts on the form of partnership the US could build with Ghana.
Ekman’s visit also touched on counter-terrorism and Ghana’s role in exporting security beyond its borders.
He expressed disappointment at the sub-region’s increasing disintegration, security-wise and diplomatically, and highlighted the need for transparent collaboration to address insurgency and militant activities.
This development comes after years of speculation and controversy surrounding the possibility of a US military base in Ghana.
In 2018, the Ghanaian government faced backlash over a defence cooperation agreement with the US, which many saw as a precursor to a military base.
The government maintained that the agreement was aimed at enhancing Ghana’s military capabilities and promoting regional security.
The US has consistently maintained that its presence in Ghana is focused on logistical support, training, and capacity-building.
-BY Daniel Bampoe