Ghana Seeks Deeper Defence Cooperation with Italy– Defence Minister
The Minister for Defence, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has called for expanded cooperation between Ghana and Italy in critical defence and security areas to strengthen Ghana’s capacity to respond to emerging threats.
He said structured intelligence exchanges, operational readiness and lessons from multinational responses to security challenges provided valuable experiences that Ghana could adapt to meet its evolving defence needs.
Mr Adjei made the call when the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Laura Ranalli, accompanied by Italy’s Defence Attaché, Colonel Antonio Di Biaso, paid a courtesy call on him to discuss shared security priorities and explore new avenues for strategic partnership.
The defence minister described the longstanding diplomatic relations between Ghana and Italy as cordial, mutually beneficial and economically significant.
He commended Italy for its sustained contribution to Ghana’s national development and expressed the government’s interest in deepening bilateral cooperation in the defence and security sector.
Mr Adjei identified modern defence equipment, enhanced logistics support, technology transfer, drone technology for aerial surveillance and advanced military engineering as key areas where increased cooperation could enhance Ghana’s defence capabilities.
He said stronger collaboration in these areas would not only improve operational effectiveness but also support Ghana’s efforts to safeguard its peace, territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
The Minister expressed optimism that Ghana and Italy would develop innovative avenues for joint initiatives to strengthen their shared defence architecture.
He further underscored the importance of cooperation in intelligence and technology, particularly as countries across the region confront increasingly complex and transnational security threats.
For her part, H.E. Ranalli reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding relations between the two countries.
She noted that Ghana-Italy relations continued to be anchored on mutual trust and expressed Italy’s readiness to broaden engagement across critical security sectors.
The Ambassador highlighted Italy’s particular interest in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and efforts to promote stability across the Sahel region.
She assured the Minister that Italy remained committed to supporting regional security priorities through bilateral mechanisms, multilateral forums and the broader European Union security framework.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
