Ghana's Defence Minister, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, recently met with France's Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Diarra Dimé-Labille, to review the long-standing defence and security partnership between the two countries. The meeting, which took place at the Ministry in Accra, was attended by delegations from both sides. During the talks, Mr Adjei emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation between the French and Ghanaian armed forces, describing France as a trusted partner in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.
A key area of focus in the discussions was French-language learning for the Ghana Armed Forces, which Mr Adjei sees as an asset in a region where most of Ghana's neighbours are francophone. Currently, French language programmes operate in about ten centres in Ghana to support personnel. The two sides also discussed cybersecurity, training, and technical expertise. Official Ghanaian reporting adds that the Minister thanked France for the assistance provided by a French Navy ship during a recent piracy attack in Ghanaian waters.
The meeting also touched on ongoing and prospective defence projects. According to Mr Adjei, negotiations are at an advanced stage for the French shipbuilder OCEA to build a fast patrol vessel for the Ghana Navy with French government support. He also appealed for help in protecting critical systems from cyber threats and in combating illegal small-scale mining. The Ambassador, who congratulated Mr Adjei on his appointment, noted that more than ten French language centres operate across Ghana Armed Forces garrisons.
The defence talks follow recent signals of strengthened cooperation between Ghana and France. When President John Mahama received Ambassador Dimé-Labille's letters of credence, he thanked President Emmanuel Macron for the first of four helicopters agreed to boost the Ghana Armed Forces' operational capacity. He also called for closer Ghana-France collaboration against terrorism, especially in the Sahel. The Ambassador, a career diplomat and former Africa adviser at the Élysée, took up her post after her appointment in September 2025.
At this year's Bastille Day reception in Accra, Ambassador Dimé-Labille highlighted the strong economic ties between Ghana and France, noting that more than 60 French companies are active in Ghana, representing €2.5 billion in investment and nearly 70,000 direct jobs. The defence partnership is seen as a practical expression of this relationship, with Ghana seeking to bolster its security capabilities in the face of growing threats. The security crisis has moved steadily towards the coastal states, and Ghana's northern border faces Burkina Faso.
The talks also come at a delicate moment for France in the region, with Mali's junta having expelled French and Western forces and turned to Russia's Africa Corps. France is therefore a weaker military presence in the Sahel than it once was, and Ghana is dealing with a partner whose regional role has been reshaped. As such, Ghanaians may reasonably ask questions about what France will deliver, and on what timetable, particularly regarding the patrol vessel and helicopters.
The strengthened defence partnership between Ghana and France is seen as a positive development, with good defence partnerships working best when the terms are transparent and Ghana's interests come first. Ghana's careful diplomacy has served it well, and the country is seeking to engage with a range of partners, including the African Union, ECOWAS, and other international organizations, to address its security challenges.
Key points
- Strengthening defence ties with France, including language training and cybersecurity cooperation.
- Enhancing maritime security, including a new patrol vessel for the Ghana Navy.
- Boosting cooperation against terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region.
