# EU donates seized military vehicles to Ghana to boost security

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/10/eu-donates-seized-military-vehicles-to-ghana-to-boost-security/
- Published: 2023-10-31T08:17:43+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

The European Union (EU) has donated over 100 armoured military vehicles to the West
African nation. These vehicles were [originally seized from a ship off the coast of Libya ](https://www.military.africa/2022/11/eu-operation-irini-intercepts-ship-carrying-batt-umg-armoured-vehicles-to-libya/)
as part of EU maritime efforts to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.

The donated vehicles includes BATT UMG armoured vehicles, Toyota Land Cruisers, 
Chevrolet trucks, and GMC trucks. At least 28 BATT UMGs, manufactured by the United
Arab Emirates’ The Armoured Group, were being [transported](https://www.military.africa/2022/11/eu-operation-irini-intercepts-ship-carrying-batt-umg-armoured-vehicles-to-libya/)
by the MV Meerdijk to Libya when the merchant vessel was inspected by Irini forces
on 11 October 2022.

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231031_081909-1024x650.
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![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231031_081846-1024x656.
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![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231031_081834-1024x607.
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The donation ceremony took place during a visit to Ghana by Josep Borrell, the EU’s
chief diplomat. The military equipment includes various armoured vehicles, and it
comes at a time when the EU is increasing support for friendly states in West Africa.
The EU’s concern stems from the fear that the prolonged insurgency crisis in the
Sahel, a semi-arid region south of the Sahara, could potentially spill over into
the relatively peaceful coastal countries in the area.

The seized vehicles, stored at France’s Marseille port after being captured by an
EU task force, have now found a new purpose through this initiative. This marks 
the first time such a mechanism has been employed, with EU officials stating that
it was a more favorable option than destroying the vehicles.

Josep Borrell revealed that the donated vehicles are part of a €20 million support
package for Ghana’s military. Additionally, the EU plans to provide further equipment,
including aerial surveillance, electronic warfare systems, and river crafts. This
support is expected to benefit not only Ghana but also the entire subregion in the
Gulf of Guinea.

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“The spillover of insecurity from the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea is no longer a
risk that may happen; it is a danger that is happening now. A reality that our partners
cannot and should not face alone,” emphasized Borrell during his visit.

Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, underscored the importance of collaborative 
efforts among nations to combat the terrorist threat, emphasizing that tackling 
this challenge requires critical support from partners such as the European Union.
The EU’s commitment to bolstering Ghana’s military capacity demonstrates the importance
of regional security and international cooperation in addressing complex security
threats.

In April 2020, member nations of the [European Union agreed and approved a new naval mission to enforce the UN arms embargo against Libya. ‘Irini’ ](https://www.military.africa/2020/04/eu-launches-new-naval-mission-irini-to-enforce-libyan-arms-embargo/)
replaces the EU’s Operation ‘Sophia’, which formally ended on 20 March of that same
year.

This is the second time Irini has seized a cargo in implementation of UN Security
Council Resolution. In July, [Italian Navy frigate ITS Grecale (F571) inspected the cargo vessel MV Victory Roro (previously MV Luccello) after she was located by a French maritime patrol aircraft.](https://www.military.africa/2022/07/operation-irini-intercepts-libyan-bound-ship-carrying-military-vehicles/)
Subsequently, vehicles violating the arms embargo were seized.

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The Ghanaian Army has been strengthening it’s mobility and logistics capabilities
by acquiring tactical vehicles in the past few years. This February, it [acquired 245 combat vehicles](https://www.military.africa/2023/02/ghanaian-military-acquires-245-combat-vehicles-to-enhance-its-operational-capacity/)
to enhance its operational capacity.

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Ghana’s president and commander-in-chief Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presented the
vehicles to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in the capital Accra on 1 February. The
vehicles include 70 Kamaz trucks, 20 BTR-70 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), 
20 Navistar Defence Husky tactical support vehicles (TSVs), and 65 Toyota utility
vehicles.

Last year May, it was announced that [Ghanaian military will be receiving 70 Husky 4×4 tactical support vehicles (TSV) from the United Kingdom](https://www.military.africa/2022/05/uk-to-send-70-husky-tsv-4x4-vehicles-to-ghana/)
to help improve security in it’s northern borders. UK will also provide related 
training regarding the operation and regular maintenance of the vehicles. UK will
also provide related training regarding the operation and regular maintenance of
the vehicles.

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