Editing Ghana Armed Forces

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Ghana}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Ghana Armed Forces
| native_name = 
| image = GAF – Ghana Armed Forces.png
| alt = 
| caption = 
| image2 = 
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| motto = 
| founded = 1957
| current_form = 
| disbanded = 
| branches = * [[Ghana Army|Army]]
*  [[Ghana Air Force|Air Force]]
* [[Ghana Navy|Navy]]
| headquarters = [[Burma Camp]], [[Greater Accra Region|Greater Accra]]
| flying_hours = 
| website = {{URL|https://gafonline.mil.gh/|Official website}}
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = [[John Mahama]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Ghana|Commander-in-Chief]]
| chief minister = 
| chief minister_title = 
| minister = Dr. [[Edward Omane Boamah]]
| minister_title = [[Minister for Defence (Ghana)|Minister of Defence]]
| commander = Major General [[William Agyapong]]
| commander_title = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Ghana)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 16–30 years of age (2013)<ref name="General recruitment exercise-2013 Entry requirements into the Ghana Armed Forces"/>
| conscription = No [[conscription]]: not married and not bonded (2013)<ref name="General recruitment exercise-2013 Entry requirements into the Ghana Armed Forces">{{cite web|url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=570:general-recruitment-exercise-2013-entry-requirements-into-the-ghana-armed-forces&catid=76:recruitment&Itemid=107|title=General recruitment exercise-2013 Entry requirements into the Ghana Armed Forces|work=gaf.mil.gh|year=2013|access-date=25 April 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055624/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=570:general-recruitment-exercise-2013-entry-requirements-into-the-ghana-armed-forces&catid=76:recruitment&Itemid=107|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 
| available = 
| available_f = 
| fit = 
| fit_f = 
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 15,500<ref name="CIA World Factbook">[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/ CIA World Factbook], accessed 29 October 2020</ref>
| ranked = 
| reserve = 
| deployed = <!-- Financial -->
| amount = $360 million (2019)<ref name="CIA World Factbook"/>
| percent_GDP = 0.4% (2019)<ref name="CIA World Factbook"/> 
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers = {{flag|United States}}<br>{{flag|Canada}}
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = [[Gold Coast Regiment]]
{{Collapsible list|title =Military governments|
* [[National Liberation Council]] (1966–1969)
* [[National Redemption Council]] (1972–1975)
* [[Supreme Military Council, Ghana|Supreme Military Council]] (1975–1979)
* [[Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, Ghana|Armed Forces Revolutionary Council]] (1979)
* [[Provisional National Defence Council]] (1981–1993)
}}
{{Collapsible list|title =Operations abroad|
* [[United Nations Operation in the Congo]] (1960–1964)
* [[Lebanese Civil War]] (1975–1990)
* [[Rwandan Civil War]] (1990–1994)
* [[Rwandan genocide]] (1994)
* [[Western Sahara War]] (1975–1991)
* [[Sierra Leone Civil War]] (1991–2002)
* [[First Liberian Civil War]] (1989–1996)
* [[Second Liberian Civil War]] (1999–2003)
* [[Second Congo War]] (1998–2003)
* [[Chadian Civil War (2005–10)|Chadian Civil War]] (2005–2010)
* [[Sudan–South Sudan Border War]] (2012)
* [[First Ivorian Civil War]] (2002–2007)
* [[Eritrean–Ethiopian War]] (1998–2000)
* [[Iran–Iraq War]] (1980–1988)
* [[Nepalese Civil War]] (1996–2006)
* [[Georgian–Abkhazian conflict]] (1989–present)
}}
| ranks = [[Military ranks of Ghana]]
}}

The '''Ghana Armed Forces''' ('''GAF''') is the state military organisation of [[Ghana]], consisting of the [[Ghana Army|Army]] (GA), [[Ghana Navy|Navy]] (GN), and [[Ghana Air Force]].<ref>[[Central Intelligence Agency]], [[The World Factbook]]: [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/ Ghana], accessed 15 November 2011</ref>

The Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces is the [[president of Ghana]], who is also the supreme military commander of the [[Border Guard Unit]] (BGU). The armed forces are managed by the [[Minister for Defence (Ghana)|Minister of Defence]]<ref>{{cite book| title=The Military Balance 2010| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author2=Hackett, James (ed.)| date=3 February 2010| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=[[London]]| isbn=978-1857435573| ref=IISS2010|pages=309–311}}</ref> and the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Ghana)|Chief of Defence Staff]].

==History==
In 1879, the [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]] Constabulary was established by personnel of the Hausa Constabulary of Southern Nigeria, to perform internal security and police duties in the British colony of the [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]]. In this guise, the regiment earned its first battle honour as part of the Ashanti campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|title=7 Best Hausa in Gold Coast ideas {{!}} british colonies, police duty, gold coast|url=https://www.pinterest.com/hnattycat/hausa-in-gold-coast/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Pinterest|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Ghana Armed Forces (Ghana Regiment) War Flag.jpg|thumb|250px|[[War flag|War Flag]] of the [[Ghana Regiment]] during the [[Burma Campaign]] in the [[South-East Asian Theatre of World War II]].]]
The Gold Coast Constabulary was renamed in 1901 as the Gold Coast Regiment, following the foundation of the [[Royal West African Frontier Force|West African Frontier Force]], under the direction of the [[Colonial Office]] of the [[British Government]]. The regiment raised a total of five [[battalion]]s for service during the [[First World War]], all of which served during the East Africa campaign. During the [[Second World War]], the regiment raised nine battalions, and saw action in Kenya's Northern Frontier District, Italian Somaliland, [[Ethiopia|Abyssinia]] and [[Burma]] as part of the [[2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade]].<ref name="Combat Support Arms">{{cite web|title=Combat {{as written|Supprt [sic]}} Arms|url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=40&Itemid=76|access-date=2014-04-26|work=Gaf.mil.gh|publisher=Ghana Armed Forces|archive-date=2011-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928022038/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=40&Itemid=76|url-status=dead}}</ref> Gold Coast soldiers returning from the Far East carried different perspectives from when they had departed.

===Internal operations===
{{See also|History of Ghana (1966-1979)}}
The Ghana Armed Forces were formed in 1957. Major General [[Stephen Otu]] was appointed Chief of Defence Staff in September 1961. From 1966, the Armed Forces were extensively involved in politics, mounting several coups. [[Kwame Nkrumah]] had become Ghana's first [[prime minister]] when the country became independent in 1957. As Nkrumah's rule wore on, he began to take actions which disquieted the leadership of the armed forces, including the creation and expansion of the [[President's Own Guard Regiment]] (POGR).<ref name="Ghana Country Study">La Verle Berry (ed.), 'The National Liberation Council,' in [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ghtoc.html Ghana Country Study], Library of Congress, research completed November 1994</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Gafcsc {{!}} Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College |url=https://gafcscmil.edu.gh/history-of-gafcsc/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816204940/https://gafcscmil.edu.gh/history-of-gafcsc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As a result, on February 24, 1966, a small number of Army personnel and senior police officials, led by Colonel [[Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka|Emmanuel Kotoka]], commander of the Second Brigade at [[Kumasi]], Major [[Akwasi Afrifa]], (staff officer in charge of army training and operations), Lieutenant General (retired) [[Joseph Arthur Ankrah|Joseph Ankrah]], and [[J.W.K. Harlley]], (the police inspector general), successfully launched "Operation Cold Chop", the [[1966 Ghanaian coup d'état]], against the Nkrumah regime.<ref name="Ghana Country Study"/> The group formed the [[National Liberation Council]], which ruled Ghana from 1966 to 1969.

The Armed Forces seized power again in January 1972, after the reinstated civilian government cut military privileges and started changing the leadership of the army's combat units. Lieutenant Colonel [[Ignatius Kutu Acheampong]] (temporary commander of the First Brigade around Accra) led the bloodless [[1972 Ghanaian coup d'état]] that ended the Second Republic.<ref>Berry (ed.), 1994</ref> Thus the [[National Redemption Council]] was formed. Acheampong became head of state, and the NRC ruled from 1972 to 1975.

On October 9, 1975, the NRC was replaced by the [[Supreme Military Council, Ghana|Supreme Military Council]] (SMC).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-76830 |title= Ghana |access-date=2007-03-20 |year=2007 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica }}</ref> Council members were Colonel Acheampong, (chairman, who was also promoted straight from [[Colonel]] to [[General]]), Lt. Gen. [[Fred Akuffo]], (the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Ghana)|Chief of Defence Staff]]), and the army, navy, air force and [[Border Guard Unit]] commanders.

In July 1978, in a sudden move, the other SMC officers forced Acheampong to resign, replacing him with Lt. Gen. Akuffo. The SMC apparently acted in response to continuing pressure to find a solution to the country's economic dilemma; inflation was estimated to be as high as 300% that year. The council was also motivated by Acheampong's failure to dampen rising political pressure for changes. Akuffo, the new SMC chairman, promised publicly to hand over political power to a new government to be elected by July 1, 1979.<ref name=nrc>McLaughlin & Owusu-Ansah (1994), "The National Redemption Council Years, 1972-79".</ref>

The decree lifting the ban on party politics went into effect on January 1, 1979, as planned. However, in June, just before the scheduled resumption of civilian rule, a group of young armed forces officers, led by [[Flight Lieutenant]] [[Jerry Rawlings]], mounted the [[1979 Ghanaian coup d'état]]. They put in place the [[Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, Ghana|Armed Forces Revolutionary Council]], which governed until September 1979. However, in 1981, Rawlings deposed the new civilian government again, in the [[1981 Ghanaian coup d'état]].<ref>Hutchful, Eboe. "Institutional Decomposition and Junior Ranks’ Political Action in Ghana." in Hutchful and Bathilly, ''The military and militarism in Africa'', CODESRIA, (1998): 211-56.</ref> This time Rawlings established the [[Provisional National Defence Council]] (PNDC). The PNDC remained in government until January 7, 1993. In the last years of the PNDC, Jerry Rawlings assumed civilian status; he was elected as a civilian President in 1993 and continued as president until 2001.

<gallery>
File:Ghana Armed Forces – Military Sergeant Soldier.jpg|A female [[sergeant]] from the Ghana Army on a [[military exercise]].
File:Ghanain Army 2005-095.jpg|Ghana Army [[soldier]]s during a simulated [[amphibious landing]] in Southwest Ghana.
File:USMC-110309-M-DF801-045.jpg|Posed photograph from a U.S. Marine Corps -Ghana [[jungle warfare]] training exercise.
File:Members of the Ghana Army 2nd Engineer Battalion prepare to practice riot control techniques during a nonlethal training demonstration June 26, 2013, in Accra, Ghana, as part of exercise Western Accord 2013 130626-A-ZZ999-023.jpg|2nd Engineer Battalion [[Snatch squad|Snatch Squad]] engaged in [[flying wedge]] and [[riot control]].
File:Members of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center honor guard stand in formation during a welcoming ceremony for Ivory Coast Gen. Soumaila Bakayoko, the Economic Community of West African 130626-A-ZZ999-016.jpg|[[Guard of honour|Honour guards]] from Ghana Air Force during a welcoming ceremony for Ivory Coast Gen. [[Soumaila Bakayoko]], the ECOWAS chair of chiefs of defence staff, during Exercise Western Accord 13.
</gallery>

===External operations===
[[File:Ghanaian ECOMOG troops embarking USAF C-130E.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ghana Army]] [[soldier]]s boarding a [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]] at [[Kotoka International Airport]] to take part in an [[Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group]] mission in [[Liberia]].]]
The Armed Forces' first external operation was the [[United Nations Operation in the Congo]] in the early 1960s.<ref name="ONUC−Congo">{{cite web|url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=28&Itemid=123|title=ONUC−Congo|access-date=2014-04-27|work=Gaf.mil.gh|publisher=Ghana Armed Forces|archive-date=2016-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124143019/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=28&Itemid=123|url-status=dead}}</ref> The GAF operated in the [[Balkans]], including with [[UNMIK]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Aning |first1=Kwesi |last2=Aubyn |first2=Festus K. |date=2013-02-28 |title= Providing Peacekeepers|chapter=Ghana |pages=269–290 |chapter-url=https://academic.oup.com/book/36243/chapter/316033843 |language=en |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199672820.003.0013|isbn=978-0-19-967282-0 }}</ref> Ghanaian operations within [[Africa]] included the [[UNAMIR]] deployment which became entangled in the [[Rwandan genocide]]. In his book ''[[Shake Hands with the Devil (book)|Shake Hands with the Devil]]'', [[Canadian Forces]] commander [[Romeo Dallaire]] gave the Ghanaian soldiers high praise for their work during that deployment. During the [[Second Liberian Civil War|Liberian Civil War]], Ghanaian activities helped pave the way for the [[Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement]], among others.<ref name="ECOMOG−Liberia">{{cite web|url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=25&Itemid=119|title=ECOMOG−Liberia|access-date=2014-04-27|work=Gaf.mil.gh|publisher=Ghana Armed Forces|archive-date=2014-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306052644/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=25&Itemid=119|url-status=dead}}</ref> Additional operations in Asia have included Iran and Iraq in the [[Iran–Iraq War]],<ref name="Iran–Iraq War">{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/uniimogbackgr.html |title=Iran–Iraq War|access-date=2014-04-27|work=un.org}}</ref> [[Kuwait]] and [[Lebanese Civil War|Lebanon civil war]] among others.<ref name="UNIFIL−Lebanon">{{cite web |url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=24&Itemid=127 |title=UNIFIL−Lebanon|access-date=2014-04-27|work=Gaf.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Armed Forces}}</ref><ref name="Lebanese Govt to erect monument">{{cite web |url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=178%3Alebanese-govt-to-erect-monument-in-honour-of-ghanaian-peacekeepers&Itemid=89 |title=Lebanese Govt to erect monument in honour of Ghanaian peacekeepers|access-date=2014-04-27| date=2 June 2011|work=Gaf.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Armed Forces}}</ref>

A total of 3,359 Ghana Army soldiers and 283 Ghana Military Police operated as part of UNTAC in [[Cambodia]].<ref name="Cambodia−UNTAC"/> The UNTAC operation lasted two years, 1992−1993.<ref name="Cambodia−UNTAC"/> After the long running Cambodia civil war ignited by external interventions, a resolution was accepted by the four warring factional parties.<ref name="Cambodia−UNTAC"/> Operation UNTAC was the largest Ghanaian external operation since Ghana's first external military operation, [[ONUC]] in the Congo in the 1960s.<ref name="Cambodia−UNTAC"/> Operation [[UNTAC]] and its contingent UNAMIC had a combined budget of more than $1.6 billion.<ref name="Cambodia−UNTAC">{{cite web |url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=30&Itemid=128 |title=UNTAC−Cambodia |access-date=2014-04-25 |work=Gaf.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Armed Forces |archive-date=2016-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124143024/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=30&Itemid=128 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2012, closer military cooperation was agreed with the [[Armed Forces of the Russian Federation]]. In 2013, the Armed Forces agreed closer military cooperation with the China [[People's Liberation Army]],<ref name="China-Ghana strengthen military ties">{{cite web |work= People Daily Online |url =http://english.people.com.cn/90786/7655236.html |title = China-Ghana strengthen military ties |access-date = 23 June 2013}}</ref> and with the [[Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran]].
[[File:Ghanaian Female Soldiers .jpg|thumb|Ghanaian Female Peacekeepers going back home after serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon ( UNIFIL )]]

==Ghana Army==
The [[Ghana Army]] is structured as follows:
[[File:Ghana's 50th Independence Anniversary.jpg|thumb|The [[Ghana Armed Forces Central Band]]]]
* The Northern Command with headquarters in [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], Central Command with headquarters in [[Kumasi]] and the Southern Command with headquarters in [[Accra]]. In March 2000 Northern and Southern Commands were formed after the two infantry brigades were upgraded in status.<ref>Africa South of the Sahara 2003, 32nd Edition</ref> Previously there were three brigades: 1st Infantry Brigade (HQ in Teshie), 2nd Infantry Brigade (HQ in Kumasi) and Support Services Brigade (HQ in Burma Camp).
* 6 [[Infantry]] [[Battalion]]s of the [[Ghana Regiment]]. 3rd Battalion of Infantry, 4th Battalion of Infantry and 6th Battalion of Infantry in the Northern Command, 1st Battalion of Infantry, 2nd Battalion of Infantry and 5th Battalion of Infantry in the Southern Command.
* two Airborne [[company (military unit)|companies]] attached to Northern Command; Airborne Force
* 64 Infantry Regiment, a presidential guard force (formerly known as [[President's Own Guard Regiment]])
* 1 Training Battalion
* One Staff College
* Reconnaissance Armoured Regiment (two armoured reconnaissance squadrons)
* [[Defence Signal Regiment (Ghana)]]
* Two Engineer Regiments (48 Engineer Regiment and 49 Engineer Regiment)
* 66 Artillery Regiment

In 1996, the [[Support Services Brigade]] was reorganized and transferred from the Army to be responsible to the Armed Forces GHQ. 
From that point its units included [[49 Engineer Regiment]], the [[Ghana Military Police]], [[Defence Signal Regiment (Ghana)]], FRO, Forces Pay Office, [[37 Military Hospital]], Defence Mechanical Transport Battalion (Def MT Bn), Base Ordnance Depot, Base Ammunition Depot, Base Supply Depot, Base Workshop, Armed Forces Printing Press (AFPP), Armed Forces Fire Service (AFFS), the [[Ghana Armed Forces Central Band]], Ghana Armed Forces Institution (GAFI), 1 Forces Movement Unit ([[Tema]] Port), 5 Forces Movement Unit, Base Engineer Technical Services (BETS), 5 Garrison Education Centre (5 GEC), the Armed Forces Museum, Army Signals Training School, and the Armed Forces Secondary Technical School (AFSTS). By 2016 the Forces Pay Office had been upgraded to the Forces Pay Regiment.

The Armed Forces uses imported weaponry and locally manufactured secondary equipment. [[M16 rifle]]s, [[AK-47]]s, [[Type 56 assault rifle]]s, [[ballistic vest]]s and [[personal armor]] are standard issue, while much of the secondary equipment used by the Army and Air Force are manufactured internally by the [[Defence Industries Holding Company]] (DIHOC). External suppliers include Russia, Iran, and China.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-01 |title=Two-thirds of African countries 'now using Chinese weapons' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/twothirds-of-african-countries-now-using-chinese-military-equipment-a6905286.html |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

===Peacekeeping Operations===
[[File:UN Peacekeepers Kigali.jpg|thumb|300px|Peacekeepers from Ghana Army (GA) in [[Kigali]], [[Rwanda]] in a [[Volkswagen Iltis]].]]
The Armed Forces are heavily committed to international [[peacekeeping]] operations. Ghana prefers to send its troops to operations in Africa. However the [[United Nations]] has used Ghanaian forces in countries as diverse as [[Afghanistan]], [[Iraq]], [[Kosovo]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Nepal]], [[Cambodia]] and [[Lebanon]].<ref name="Ghana's Regional Security Policy">{{cite web |url=http://www.kaiptc.org/Publications/Occasional-Papers/Documents/no_20.aspx |title=Ghana's Regional Security Policy: Costs, Benefits and Consistency |page=33 |format=PDF |access-date=2014-04-27 |work=Kaiptc.org |publisher=[[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508150900/http://www.kaiptc.org/Publications/Occasional-Papers/Documents/no_20.aspx |archive-date=2014-05-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Currently, Ghanaian armed forces are posted to United Nations peacekeeping missions in:<ref name="Ghana Armed Forces − Peace operations">{{cite web |url=http://www.geneva-academy.ch/RULAC/peace_operations.php?id_state=71 |title=Ghana Armed Forces − Peace operations|access-date=2014-04-27|work=RULAC |publisher=Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts Project}}</ref>
* [[MONUC]] ([[Democratic Republic of Congo]]) − 464
* [[UNMIL]] ([[Liberia]]) − 852 (disestablished 2018)
* [[UNAMSIL]] ([[Sierra Leone]]) − 782
* [[UNIFIL]] ([[Lebanon]]) − 651

Ghana armed forces provided the first Force Commander of the [[Economic Community of West African States]] Monitoring Group ([[ECOMOG]]), Lieutenant General [[Arnold Quainoo]]. Quainoo led the force from July 1990 to September 1990.<ref>{{cite book |title=Peacekeeping In Africa : Capabilities And Culpabilities  |last=Berman, Eric G. |author2=Sams, Katie E. |year=2000 |publisher=[[United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research]] |location=Geneva |isbn=92-9045-133-5 |pages=94–95}}
</ref>

Ghana Armed Forces peacekeepers have many roles: [[patrolling]], as [[military police]], [[Election observers|electoral observers]], [[Demining|de-miners]] ([[Bomb disposal|bomb disposal units]] and [[clearance diver]]s), [[ceasefire]] monitors, [[humanitarian aid]] workers, and even [[special forces]] or [[frogmen]] against [[insurgent]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=32&Itemid=118 |title=International Peacekeeping |access-date=2014-04-25 |work=Gaf.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Armed Forces |archive-date=2013-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704113503/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=32&Itemid=118 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Niger Coup ===
A group of opposition political parties and civil society organizations, comprising the [[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress (NDC)]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-10 |title=NDC kicks against planned military intervention in troubled Niger |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2023/08/ndc-kicks-against-planned-military-intervention-in-troubled-niger/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Niger Coup: War cannot be a preferred option – NDC to ECOWAS |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/niger-coup-war-cannot-be-a-preferred-option-ndc-to-ecowas |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |date=10 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> and [[Ghana Union Movement|Ghana Union Movement (GUM)]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-14 |title=Osofo Kyiri Abosom threatens to demonstrate if Akufo-Addo sends troops to Niger |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2023/08/osofo-kyiri-abosom-threatens-to-demonstrate-if-akufo-addo-sends-troops-to-niger/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}</ref> has jointly urged the Akufo-Addo administration to refrain from deploying the Ghana Armed Forces to restore the democratically elected president of [[Niger]], [[Mohamed Bazoum]], who was ousted from power by General [[Abdourahamane Tchiani]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Don't send troops to Niger – Presby Church |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/dont-send-troops-to-niger-presby-church |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |date=16 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

However, [[Kennedy Agyapong|Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong]], the Chairperson of the Interior and Defense Committee in Parliament, has expressed his endorsement of the nation's deployment of troops to Niger.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-16 |title=I support sending Ghanaian troops to Niger - Chair of Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/I-support-sending-Ghanaian-troops-to-Niger-Chair-of-Defence-and-Interior-Committee-of-Parliament-1826147 |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref>

==Ghana Air Force==
{{Further|Ghana Air Force}}
The Ghana Air Force is headquartered in [[Burma Camp]] in [[Accra]], and operates from bases in Accra (main transport base), [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]] (combat and training base)and [[Sekondi-Takoradi]] (training base). The GHF [[military doctrine]] and stated mission is to perform [[counterinsurgency]] operations within Ghana or externally and to provide [[logistics|logistical]] support to the Ghana Army.<ref name="Ghana Gair force">[http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=47&#MAKINAMERICAGREATAGAINItemid=82 Ghana air force]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. ''gaf.mil.gh''.</ref>

==Ghana Navy==
{{Further|Ghana Navy}}
The Ghana Navy's mission is to provide defence of Ghana and its territorial waters, fishery protection, [[exclusive economic zone]], and internal security on [[Lake Volta]]. It is also tasked with resupplying GA (Ghana Army) peacekeepers in Africa, fighting maritime criminal activities such as [[Piracy]], disaster and humanitarian relief operations, and evacuation of Ghanaian citizens and other nationals from troubled spots.<ref name=history/> In 1994 the Navy was re-organized into an Eastern command, with headquarters at [[Tema, Ghana|Tema]], and a Western command, with headquarters at [[Sekondi-Takoradi]].<ref name=history>{{cite web |url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?CatId=80 |title=Historical Background of The Ghana Navy |access-date=2007-06-11 |work=Official website |publisher=Ghana Armed Forces |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827030845/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?CatId=80 |archive-date=2007-08-27 }}</ref>

==GAF Business==

===GAF Military private bank===
[[File:GAF (Ghana Armed Forces) FSM Major CWO − Dickson Owusu.jpg|thumb|180px|GAF FSM (Forces [[Sergeant major|Sergeant Major]]) of the Ghana Armed Forces CWO ([[Chief warrant officer|Chief Warrant Officer]]) [[Dickson Owusu]].]]
The Ghana Armed Forces, in addition to owning its own [[arms industry]] [[weapons]] and [[military technology and equipment]] [[manufacturer]] (DIHOC − Defence Industries Holding Company), operates its own [[private bank]]. The military [[private bank]] is sited at Burma Camp and serves Ghanaian [[military personnel]] and their civilian counterparts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/443033/1/gaf-justifies-decision-to-operate-a-bank.html |title=GAF justifies decision to operate a bank |access-date=2014-04-30 |date=2013-02-02 |work=Modernghana.com }}</ref>

===Military hospitals===
The GAF has two hospitals, the [[37 Military Hospital]] in Accra and the [[Kumasi Military Hospital]] in the north.<ref name="gog">{{cite web|last1=Hospital|first1=Military|title=Work On Kumasi Military Hospital Progresses|url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-center/news/770-work-on-kumasi-military-hospital-progresses|website=ghana.gov.gh|publisher=Government of Ghana|access-date=6 June 2017|archive-date=20 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420010707/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-center/news/770-work-on-kumasi-military-hospital-progresses|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[37 Military Hospital]] has recently undergone expansion and its facilities include a twenty-four-hour [[Emergency department|Emergency Department]] (ED).<ref name="37 Military Hospital − Hospital description">{{cite web |url=http://www.electives.net/hospital/5617 |title=37 Military Hospital − Hospital description |access-date=2014-04-30 |work=Electives.net |archive-date=2014-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301174813/http://www.electives.net/hospital/5617 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The GAF main military hospital has been organized into departments and divisions, which created structure within the establishment.<ref name="37 Military Hospital − Hospital description"/> The Divisions and Departments (the units) are developed and joined according to medical, [[paramedic]]al and administrative lines and each of these units has its own departmental head.<ref name="37 Military Hospital − Hospital description"/> The GAF military hospital is staffed by GAF [[military personnel]] and also houses a [[medical education]] training facility.<ref name="37 Military Hospital − Hospital description"/> 37 Military Hospital is also accredited for post-graduate [[medical education]] teaching.<ref name="37 Military Hospital − Hospital description"/> [[Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Lebedev|Vyacheslav Lebedev]], Chairman of the [[Supreme Court of Russia]], expressed gratitude following his emergency treatment at the hospital.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=..&limitstart=115 |title=Russian CJ Returns Home − Russian CJ Grateful to Ghanaians |access-date=2014-04-30 |date=September 2013 |work=Gaf.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Armed Forces |archive-date=2014-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508120458/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=..&limitstart=115 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Cadets and schools==
The Ghana Army operates a [[Cadet Corps]] for GAF [[Cadet]]s whom go on to [[Military education and training|Military Education and Training]] and [[Recruit training|Recruit Training]] graduation from the GAF [[Military academy|Military Academy]] for [[Army recruit|Army Recruit]] and [[Seaman recruit|Seaman Recruit]] prior to enlistment into the Army, Navy or Air Force.

Training institutions include the [[Ghana Military Academy]] and the Ghana Army-sponsored [[Cadet Corps]]. Also located in Accra is the internationally funded [[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]], which is not part of the Armed Forces but provides a wide-ranging of peace operations training, including to GAF personnel.

=== Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College ===
The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) dates back to 1963. It was to provide training for Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) officers and affiliated officers from Africa, focusing on command and staff duties. Throughout its history, it has hosted and educated individuals from neighboring African states. It focuses on military and defense courses, culminating in the issuance of the Pass Staff College (PSC) certificate.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History of Gafcsc {{!}} Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College |url=https://gafcscmil.edu.gh/history-of-gafcsc/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816204940/https://gafcscmil.edu.gh/history-of-gafcsc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The range of programs expanded, driven by the demands of the global environment. The Ghana Armed Forces have been engaged in peacekeeping operations since 1960. This meant broadening the array of courses provided by GAFCSC. Consequently, the college aimed to establish partnerships with the University of Ghana and GIMPA to offer diverse peacekeeping and other courses. With the attainment of Institutional Accreditation, the college is now prepared to conduct its own courses, while still maintaining its collaborative association with the University of Ghana and GIMPA.<ref name=":0" />

==Defence budget==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:center; margin-right:.2px; margin-left:9px;margin:1em auto"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Ghana Military–industrial complex and [[Defence industry]] budgetary history
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Ghana Defence budget percentage growth.jpg|400px]] || style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Ghana Defence budget percentage per GDP.jpg|400px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| Ghana Armed Forces [[Defense (military)|Defence]] [[budget]] percentage growth rate
| style="text-align:center;"| Ghana Armed Forces [[Defense (military)|Defence]] [[budget]] percentage
|}

=== Salary Structure ===
The Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) is the payment made to the Ghana Arm Forces. The salary structure started in 2010 has increased the income of the military. Payment structure with the Single Spine differs from each officer depending on their [[ranking]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=richie|date=2020-03-19|title=Ghana Armed Forces Salary 2021/2022|url=https://quoterich.com/ghana-armed-forces-gaf-salary/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Quoterich.com|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204024516/https://quoterich.com/ghana-armed-forces-gaf-salary/|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=GHStudents|date=2018-03-15|title=Ghana Army Salary Structure & Rank|url=https://ghstudents.com/ghana-army-salary-structure-rank/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=GH Students|language=en-US}}</ref>{{clear}}

==Military clothing and prohibition of photography==
Ghanaian [[statutory law]] officially prohibits [[Civilian|civilians]] and foreign nationals from wearing military apparel such as [[camouflage]] clothing, or clothing which resembles military dress. Officially, fines and/or short prison sentences can be passed against civilians seen in military dress in public.<ref name="Ghana armed forces">[http://www.gaf.mil.gh/ Ghana armed forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721031206/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/ |date=2011-07-21 }}. ''gaf.mil.gh''.</ref> In addition, Ghanaian law prohibits the [[photography|photographing]] of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Ghana [[Military police|Military Police]] (GMP) police or GAF [[military personnel]] and vehicles while on duty, strategic sites such as [[Kotoka International Airport]] when in use, and the seat of the Ghanaian government, [[Jubilee House]].<ref name="Ghana armed forces"/>

== See also ==
* [[List of wars involving Ghana]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* General History of the Ghana Armed Forces – a Reference Volume, (Professor) Stephen Addae, Ministry of Defence of Ghana Armed Forces, Accra, 2005, {{ISBN|9988-8335-0-4}}.  Nearly 700 pages but quite readable.  Very poor bibliography.

==External links==
* Ghana Armed Forces, [http://www.gaf.mil.gh Ghana armed forces official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721031206/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/ |date=2011-07-21 }}
* How to join the Ghana Armed Forces [https://classdetective.com/ghana-armed-forces-recruitment .] [http://cyberwarzone.com/join-ghana-armed-forces/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821174020/http://cyberwarzone.com/join-ghana-armed-forces/ |date=2014-08-21 }}

{{Military of Ghana}}{{Ministries and Agencies in Ghana}}{{Ghana topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Military of Ghana| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1957]]