European Union strengthens Ghana's border security with 105 armored vehicles.

The European Union has delivered 105 armored vehicles to Ghana as part of a comprehensive €616 million aid initiative aimed at improving the border security of West African nations along the Gulf of Guinea. These countries are facing the growing threat of jihadist violence emanating from the Sahel region.
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The fleet comprises 13 Land Cruiser pickup trucks, 10 GMC Sierras, as well as a variety of Toyota Land Cruisers, Toyota single cabins, Chevrolet Silverados, and Sierra pickup trucks (Picture source: Ghana News Agency GNA)

The armored vehicles were handed over to Ghana on October 28, 2023, a move that underscores the EU's commitment to supporting coastal West African countries such as Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast. These nations are increasingly vulnerable to instability in the Sahel, particularly following recent coups in Burkina Faso and Niger, which have led to calls for the withdrawal of French military presence.

After discussions with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo in Accra, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated that the aid package would eventually include aerial surveillance technologies and electronic warfare systems. "The risk of Sahel insecurity spreading to the Gulf of Guinea nations is now a sad reality, a reality that these countries should not have to face alone," said Borrell.

The EU's investment aims to go beyond military aid, also focusing on job creation and the provision of services, particularly in northern Ghana. This region has been identified as being susceptible to jihadist recruitment efforts, fueled by ethnic tensions and economic grievances.

Earlier this year, Ghana deployed an additional 1,000 soldiers and police officers in its northern Bawku region, following an attack that resulted in the death of an immigration officer and injuries to two others. Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the region is known for its ongoing ethnic and chieftaincy conflicts that occasionally escalate into violence.

The fleet comprises 13 Land Cruiser Pickups, 10 GMC Sierras, as well as a variety of Toyota Land Cruisers, Toyota Single Cabins, Chevrolet Silverados, and Sierra pickups.

According to an EU statement, financial aid to Ghana is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the defense and security apparatus of the four Gulf of Guinea countries. Although Ghana has not yet experienced jihadist attacks on its territory, neighboring countries like Benin and Togo have reported several incursions and attacks since 2021.