The United States of America (USA) has not planned to set up a military base in Ghana.
This was disclosed by the Director of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element (ACE), Major General Kenneth P. Ekman, during a visit to Ghana.
According to Major General Ekman, there have been a lot of questions about a possible US military base in Ghana but he stressed that the US had no such intention.
He explained that the United States rather plans to reposition some forces in the region just as it did in Cote d’Ivoire, Benin and Chad.
Speaking on his visit to Ghana, the ACE Director highlighted the strong partnership between the US and Ghana and their commitment to the current collaboration to ensure stability and prosperity in West Africa
“The primary focus of my visit here is how Ghana exerts its role and strength to contribute to a regional approach against Sahelian base extremist organisations. Your leaders have gone over some of their plans for this.
“They’ve talked about things like border security and capacities, where they still need more support. And they talked about training. So, getting that partnership right now in Ghana, that’s the primary focus of this visit,” he said in an interview with Graphic.
He also hinted that the United States will deliver some military equipment to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in a few months.
This, he said, was part of efforts to transition the US-Ghana security from training to more logistical support.
This comes after the Commander of AFRICOM, Marine Corps General Michael E. Langley, admitted in June 2024, that Ghana was being considered for a US military base after pulling out of Niger.
When asked whether Benin, Ghana, or Ivory Coast were being considered General Langley confirmed, “Yes, I’ve travelled across West Africa, across coastal West Africa”.
