Twiga at Ghana joint defence committee meeting

A 2-day inaugural Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Ghana has commenced in Accra, Ghana, to implement and operationalize a Defence Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in February 2023.

The meeting at the Command Mess, Burma Camp, from 29 and 30 July 2024, had the Ghanaian Deputy Minister for Defence, and Member of Parliament for Atwima-Kwanwoma – Mr Kofi Amankwa-Manu as the Chief Guest, supported by South Africa’s Acting Secretary of Defence – Dr Thobekile Gamede.

Presenting his opening remarks for the conference, Mr Amankwa-Manu said the gathering marks a significant milestone, following a successful Bi-National Commission held earlier in March 2024 in Pretoria, where the two nations reaffirmed their Commitment to deepen bilateral relations across various sectors, including Defence and Security.

The Minister continued that the meeting of Senior Military Officers of the two nations, who bear the duty of implementing and operationalizing the Defence Cooperation Agreement between the two, provides an opportunity to reaffirm friendship, deepen bilateral ties and strengthen the noble cause of African Economic Integration.

He furthered that during the 2nd Session of the South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission (BNC) held on 12 March 2024, several significant outcomes were achieved, including the signing of several Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in areas such as Economic, Technical, Trade, Transport, Social and Cultural Cooperation.

Mr Amankwa-Manu expressed the hope that the JDC would come up with strategies or programmes, that would utilize opportunities that the Defence Industry Holding Company (DIHOC) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) presents or how industries of South Africa can take advantage of Opportunities that DIHOC presents.

Internal conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism pose significant challenges to stability and development, hence he urged that Ghana and South Africa together, address these issues and work towards a safer, more prosperous future.

“Let us endeavour to build upon our shared history, friendship and cooperation, including cooperation between our defence establishments and ensure that together, we are better prepared to confront the challenges of today and tomorrow, as we work towards strengthening the same, and contribute to a more secure and peaceful Africa”, he concluded.

Present at the event included the Chief Director, Ministry of Defence, Ghana – Dr Evans Dzikum; Chief of the Defence Staff, GAF – Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah; Chiefs of the Army, Naval and Air Staff, GAF – Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, Rear Admiral (R/Adm) Issah Adam Yakubu, and Air Vice Marshal Frederick Kwasi Asare Bekoe, respectively; Chief of Staff, General Headquarters – Maj Gen Joseph Prince Osei-Owusu;

Others were the Deputy Chief of Staff; Logistics – R/Adm Samuel Agyenim-Boateng; and Defence Attaché at Ghana’s High Commission, South Africa – Commodore Samuel Walker, amongst other Senior Military Officers.

The South African team included Colonel Andrew Amoldus – Defence Attaché at the South African High Commission in Accra; Maj Gen Godfrey Thulare – Chief of Staff, Joint Operations, South African National Defence Force (SANDF); Mr Kopano Lebelo – Acting Chief, Defence Materiel; Maj Gen Bonzinkosi Ngcobo – Deputy Chief of Staff, SANDF.

By Kofi Ampeah-Woode