Defence Minister seeks expanded Canada Partnership to Modernise Ghana Armed Forces
The Minister of Defence, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has called for expanded defence and security cooperation between Ghana and Canada, identifying cyber defence, artificial intelligence, maritime security, and surveillance technologies as priority areas to strengthen the Ghana Armed Forces’ capabilities.
He made the call when the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, HE Myriam Montrat, paid a courtesy call on him in Accra to discuss mutual interests and explore opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation.
Mr Adjei said modernising and transforming the Ghana Armed Forces required sustained investment in capacity-building to enable the military to respond effectively to evolving internal and external security threats.
He expressed Ghana’s readiness to deepen its partnership with Canada, particularly in military training, intelligence sharing and peace support operations.
The Minister acknowledged Canada’s continued support to the Ghana Armed Forces, highlighting military training, peacekeeping assistance and the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations as key areas of the longstanding bilateral relationship.
He noted that the partnership has helped increase the participation of uniformed women in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Mr Adjei further emphasised that cooperation in emerging defence technologies, including artificial intelligence, cyber defence and maritime surveillance, would strengthen Ghana’s security capabilities and support its broader commitment to democratic governance and regional stability.
For her part, Ms Montrat reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting Ghana in strengthening its defence and security architecture in response to emerging regional threats.
She highlighted the Elsie Initiative as an important platform for promoting innovative approaches to increasing the participation of uniformed women in UN peacekeeping operations.
The High Commissioner also referenced the Ghana-Canada partnership in supporting the formulation of a gender policy aimed at addressing sexual abuse within the defence sector.
She reiterated Canada’s willingness to continue supporting initiatives that enhance Ghana’s defence capacity and strengthen institutional cooperation.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on emerging security challenges and the importance of coordinated responses to threats that increasingly transcend national borders.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
