Building safety for the future

Across Ghana, logistics hubs and forward operating bases are becoming increasingly important. As the country expands its armed forces and prepares for larger national and international deployments, the safe storage, transport, and management of ammunition has become a strategic necessity. Behind every operational success lies a less visible but critical task: ensuring that ammunition depots are secure, well managed, and resilient against accidents, diversion, and waste.

At the national level, this challenge is closely linked to Ghana's development plans. The Ghana Armed Forces are undergoing a significant expansion, with thousands of new personnel expected to join in the coming years. This growth brings increased demand for training ammunition and storage capacity, as well as the need for skilled managers who can operate depots safely, both in permanent facilities and in temporary operational environments. Developing this expertise is essential to protect personnel, surrounding communities, and national resources.

It is within this context that the European Union, through the EU Security and Defence Initiative in the Gulf of Guinea (EUSDI GoG), supported the first edition of the Ammunition and Depot Management Module Training Team. Delivered in close cooperation with Ghanaian authorities, the training focused on safety, accountability, and sustainability. Over three weeks, participants explored risk management, storage standards, transport procedures, and practical exercises designed to reflect real operational conditions. The diversity of trainees, from experienced non-commissioned officers to officers and store managers, reflected the shared responsibility required across all levels.

The EU priority was clear: to build long-term capacity. Rather than a one-directional transfer of knowledge, the training was shaped through continuous dialogue, adapting content to Ghana's operational realities. This approach reinforced a partnership based on equality and shared objectives, ensuring that European expertise complemented national ambitions rather than replacing them.

By strengthening ammunition and depot management skills, the EU contributes to safer military practices and better resource preservation. More importantly, this cooperation lays the groundwork for an enduring partnership. A partnership that responds to evolving needs, and invests in people as much as in procedures. For both Ghana and the European Union, this shared commitment is not just about today's training, but about building security together for the years ahead.

The EU Security and Defence Initiative in Support of West African Countries of the Gulf of Guinea (EU SDI GoG) is an EU initiative under the Common Security and Defence Policy. It brings together military and civilian experts to help Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin enhance their security and defense capabilities, addressing security threats and preventing the spread of insecurity from the Sahel to the West African coastal states.