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African Land Forces Summit 2025 Underway in Accra

• 08 Apr
• Admin

Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah on behalf of the Commander-in- Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has officially declared the commencement of African Land Forces Summit 2025 (ALFS 25) on Monday, 7 March 2025 at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

The 4-day event hosted by the Ghana Army in partnership with the Southern European Task Force-Africa (SETAF-AF) is themed, “Optimizing land forces for the emerging security environment”. It consists of over 40 Land Forces Commanders and civilians alike to provide the platform of information sharing as well as strengthen international and regional collaboration as they discuss topics such as cross border security, professional military education, military technology, misinformation and disinformation among others.

Honourable Dr Edward Omane Boamah was delighted to have an open experience of the Land Forces Summit which promises to be productive and impactful. He noted that the collaboration between the Ghana army and the United States Army in this enterprise is a welcome development in the context of international defense cooperation in which Ghana cherishes the strong bond of friendship and cooperation that exists between both countries.

He further emphasized that the assembly of Army Chiefs from across the African continent, to deliberate on matters of defence and security was very important in this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world where globally contemporary defense and security challenges have accentuated the need for multinational and multi domain solutions. He therefore urged all to work together to devise workable and cost effective solutions to address these challenges.

Honourable Dr Omane Boamah highlighted that the security environment continues to grow in complexity with the weaponization of otherwise innocuous instruments such as cyberspace as well as Technological advancement, including artificial intelligence, being ever present challenges to defence and security forces all over the world. As a result the summit is commendable to generate a unique entry point and platform to source solutions from some of the best brains in the defence and security sector globally.

He was therefore convinced that the deliberations on the selected topics would yield pioneering and groundbreaking ideas that would help advance long term solutions to their common challenges and wished them all a fruitful subject and memorable experience at the end of the summit.

The US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia E Palmer, in her remarks noted that the great source of strength of Ghana with the professionalism of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and their subordination to civilian authority makes Ghana's democracy strong. Additionally, she was overwhelmed with the number of resource persons present to deliberate on common security goals and threats which would enable them to develop and share ideas on security to make their countries more stronger, secured and prosperous.

 Hence, she believes the summit is an opportunity to optimize land forces capabilities, foster interoperability and build the crisis response capabilities needed to secure security and stability for the emerging security environment which is critical to adapt in strengthening the various Armed Forces to confront the evolving threats that seek to undermine and destabilize the region.

She further elaborated that the US was proud of their 20 years of partnership and acknowledged the long standing collaboration was a testament to the strength and resilience of US and Ghanaian forces working side by side to confront shared challenges. Elaborating that, Ghana has been a leader in regional security and an exporter of peace beyond its borders due to the professionalism of GAF and subordination to civilian governance which is a model for the rest of Africa and beyond.

Ambassador Palmer also noted that this was a showcase for the world that democracy strengthens stability. Therefore, she encouraged all to take the opportunity to strengthen the ties that bind them across this vast terrain as well as reinforce their collective resolve to address security threats head on which is vital to ensure peace and prosperity in their nations and the African continent at large.

The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Major General (Maj Gen) Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu in his speech expressed gratitude to the US Army for their collaboration and thanked the President and Minister for Defence for their support.

He emphasized the importance of multinational cooperation in addressing defence and security challenges, highlighting the summit's theme of, ‘optimizing land forces for emerging security environment’.

The COAS encouraged active participation and exploration of Ghanaian culture, promising a memorable experience for delegates.