The Ghana Army is enhancing its counter-terrorism capabilities with the commissioning of a new Special Operations Training School in Daboya, featuring a state-of-the-art skills house.
This facility, opened in February, is designed to train personnel in critical skills such as house-clearing tactics, cross-border operations, and urban warfare. It aims to strengthen Ghana’s ability to address regional security challenges while fostering intelligence sharing and joint military exercises with neighboring countries.
The skills house was handed over by the U.S. Office of Security Cooperation Department of Defence, highlighting the deep security partnership between Ghana and the United States.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Brig. Gen. Frank Nartey Tei, the general officer commanding the Northern Command, expressed gratitude to the U.S. government, noting that this collaboration has been reinforced through exercises like Flintlock and African Lion. Col. Antwi Awuah Darkwah, deputy commander of the Ghana Army Special Operations Brigade, emphasized the shared values of service and sacrifice that underpin this alliance.
For years now, British troops have provided training to Ghanaian soldiers on fighting in built up area (FIBUA) to enhance their capacity to tackle threats from violent extremist organisations.
Just a week prior, President John Mahama met with Gen. Michael E. Langley of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to discuss subregional security threats, signaling Ghana’s commitment to expanding these cooperative efforts.
Ghana’s focus on bolstering its special operations capabilities comes amid growing concerns about terrorism in the region. Although the country has not faced major terror attacks, violent extremists from Burkina Faso have been using Ghana’s northern border as a logistical and medical base, raising the risk of infiltration and radicalization.
In response, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have intensified operations in the north, including patrols and roadblocks. Recent events, such as the September attack that killed 12 Togolese soldiers near the Burkina Faso border, highlighting the urgency of these measures. Joint patrols with Burkina Faso and increased vigilance along the Togo border further reflect Ghana’s proactive stance.
Beyond military operations, Ghana is working to improve civil-military relations. In September, a five-day workshop in Accra brought together representatives from the GAF, AFRICOM, the Institute for Security Governance (ISG), and the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa.
The workshop focused on building civil-military capacity and developing a directive to institutionalize these operations within the GAF. Brig. Gen. Kweku Dankwa Hagan described it as a vital opportunity to address security challenges, while ISG’s Dean Bland highlighted the emphasis on strategic planning and operational effectiveness.
The growing terror threat along Ghana’s 600-kilometer porous border with Burkina Faso, where Sahel-based extremists have established a presence, has drawn significant international support.
In March 2024, the United States pledged $100 million to aid conflict prevention and stabilization in Ghana and other West African nations. The European Union has also provided military assistance to counter radicalization and the westward spread of extremist groups, recognizing that Ghana’s well-regarded military cannot tackle this challenge alone.
Looking ahead, Ghana is preparing to launch its first National Defence University (NDU) in 2024, a move that will elevate its military education and research capabilities. Announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo in November 2023, the NDU will offer master’s and doctoral programs in military science, defense and strategic studies, and related fields. With campuses integrated into existing institutions like the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, the university will serve as a hub for long-term research and policy development. It will educate personnel from Ghana’s armed forces, security agencies, and allied African nations, reinforcing regional cooperation in pursuit of peace and stability.
The commissioning of the Special Operations Training School, exemplified by the new skills house, marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its defense posture. Through specialized training, international partnerships, and forward-looking initiatives like the NDU, Ghana is positioning itself to effectively counter terrorism and safeguard its borders in an increasingly volatile region.
