Ghana and Canada have agreed to strengthen their defence and security cooperation, focusing on military training, intelligence sharing, cyber defence and maritime security.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ghana’s defence ministry said the meeting was aimed at exploring areas of mutual interest and expanding bilateral defence relations.

The agreement followed a meeting between its defence minister, Kenneth Adjei, and the Canadian high commissioner, Myriam Montrat, in Accra.

The minister lauded Canada’s ongoing support for the Ghana Armed Forces, especially through military training and peacekeeping support. He noted the Elsie Initiative, which has seen significant participation of uniformed women in UN peacekeeping missions, among others.

Mr Adjei showed Ghana’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Canada in the areas of mutual interest, noting that the ministry was happy to engage with its Canadian counterparts on military training, intelligence sharing and peace support.

He restated that to modernise and transform the armed forces, Ghana needs to build capacity to counter internal and external threats.

The minister said key priority areas for future partnership in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, maritime security, and surveillance technologies would reinforce Ghana’s broader commitment to democratic governance and regional security.

Ms Montrat reaffirmed Canada’s sustained efforts to strengthen Ghana’s security architecture against emerging regional threats. She said the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations promoted innovative approaches to increasing the participation of uniformed women in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

She added that the Ghana-Canada partnership had contributed to the formulation of a gender policy aimed at addressing sexual abuse.

Ms Montrat also underscored Canada’s continued support for strengthening Ghana’s defence sector capacity.

“The engagement concluded with both sides exchanging views on emerging security challenges and the importance of strengthening collaboration in addressing the increasing threats that transcend national borders,” she said.

She said both sides exchanged views on emerging security challenges and the need to strengthen cooperation in addressing threats that transcend national borders.