Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah has urged African land forces to develop effective solutions to tackle cybersecurity challenges and the growing threat of terrorism in the subregion.
Speaking at the African Land Forces Summit in Accra on April 7, Dr. Omane Boamah expressed concern over the frequent security threats faced by African armed forces and called on senior officers to work toward lasting solutions.
He emphasized the Ghanaian government’s commitment to supporting the country’s armed forces in their fight against security threats.
In her remarks, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, stressed the importance of Africa adapting and strengthening its armed forces to confront evolving threats that undermine regional stability.
The primary goal of the African Land Forces Summit is to foster stronger partnerships across the continent, aimed at improving regional and continent-wide security.
This year, the summit brought together representatives from 40 nations and 300 personnel under the theme “Optimizing Land Forces for the Emerging Security Environment.”
The summit is co-hosted by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). Previous summits have been held in the U.S. (2010 & 2022), Uganda (2012), Senegal (2015), Tanzania (2016), Malawi (2017), Nigeria (2018), Botswana (2019), Ethiopia (2020), Côte d’Ivoire (2023), and Zambia (2024).
“This year’s summit offers senior land force leaders from African nations the chance to build relationships, exchange insights, and collaborate on tackling shared security challenges,” said Major General Andrew C. Gainey, Commanding General of SETAF-AF.
“I thank the Ghana Armed Forces for their excellent partnership in hosting this important event, setting the stage for a successful summit,” he said.
U.S. Ambassador Virginia E. Palmer emphasized the urgency of strengthening African armed forces in the face of threats like violent extremism, which destabilize the region and threaten its prosperity.
“Ghana remains a key model of democracy and an exporter of security. The United States is proud to co-host this summit, which is crucial for addressing these emerging security challenges,” she said.
The summit is seen as a vital platform for fostering innovative solutions to shared security problems and strengthening cooperation across the continent.
