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US Army General Stephen Townsend, commander of US Africa Command, paid a two-day visit to Ghana from February 23-24.
It was Stephen’s first visit to the country, where he met Ghanaian leaders and staff from the US Embassy in Accra.
“Ghana is an African security leader and a key partner of the US Africa Command. Ghana’s contributions to peacekeeping, protection of vital sea lanes in the Gulf of Guinea, and leadership help prevent the spread of violent extremism. I look forward to exploring ways to continue to deepen our partnership. “
He met with several Ghanaian leaders, including President Nana Akufo-Addo; The Chief of the Defense Staff, including current and outgoing Chiefs of Defense, Rear Admiral Seth Amoama and Lieutenant-General Obed Akwa, respectively; The Minister of Defense, the Honorable Dominic Nitiwul; and other senior officials of the Ghanaian armed forces.
Topics for discussion included a shared commitment to degrade the influence of regional violent extremist organizations. Ghana contributes to efforts to counter violent extremism through its leadership in the Accra Initiative, which supports regional information sharing and cross-border security operations between Africa’s coastal states ‘West and the Sahel.
“West African security requires collaboration and partnership. The challenges ahead cannot be met by one nation, ”Stephen said.
As violence in the Sahel and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea increase steadily, Ghana’s strategic location makes it a critical anchor point for multiple efforts, including activities to improve maritime security and combat transnational crime.
“The US Africa Command is committed to working with the Ghanaian military on regional challenges. We are improving our military ties through exchanges and the development of non-commissioned officers, ”Townsend said. “It is important that we develop our partnership with Ghana to advance common security goals.”
In Accra, Stephen also met with members of the United States Embassy, including Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan.
“We were pleased to welcome General Townsend, whose visit reaffirmed the broad and long-standing partnership between the United States and Ghana,” said Sullivan. “The visit underscored our shared values and the United States’ interest in working together to seek mutually beneficial security solutions.”
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