By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The recent deployment of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to Jamaica and the rapid mobilization of troops to Benin mark a profound expansion of Ghana’s South-South cooperation. President John Mahama has framed the Caribbean mission as a moral imperative rooted in Pan-African solidarity, while the Benin deployment reinforces Ghana’s role as a regional security anchor. Backed by GH₵10 million in relief aid, these dual-front operations have simultaneously triggered a fierce domestic debate over executive power, fiscal transparency, and national priorities.
Presidential Vision and Military Readiness
At a send-off parade at the Jubilee Lounge in Accra on Dec. 17, 2025, President Mahama characterized the 14 Engineer Brigade as a technical vanguard rather than a combat force. Joining him was the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. William Agyapong, who highlighted the brigade’s readiness following its recent expansion to include the 50th and 51st regiments.
The engineering contingent, led by Col. Emmanuel Asia, is tasked with rebuilding infrastructure and establishing tent cities for thousands of displaced residents. Mahama reminded the 54 personnel, “Your conduct will reflect the values, discipline, and humanity of the Ghanaian soldier. You’re ambassadors of the Republic of Ghana.”
The Catastrophe in Jamaica and Diplomatic Synergy
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, causing $8.8 billion in damage and claiming more than 45 lives. New estimates from the United Nations suggest recovery costs could climb to $15 billion—nearly a quarter of Jamaica’s gross domestic product.
In response, Ghana is dispatching food aid, including locally produced Ghanaian rice, and shipping large-scale tents by sea to house some of the 279,000 displaced
Jamaicans. The mission is supported by a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft carrying 65,000 pounds of equipment. Prime Minister Andrew Holness identified reconstruction as the most critical priority, saying the extent of destruction in Jamaica is “beyond our capacity alone to repair.”
The Failed Coup in Benin and Regional Stability
On Dec. 7, 2025, Benin narrowly averted a crisis when the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, attempted a coup. Ghana’s contribution of approximately 100 personnel to the ECOWAS Standby Force—alongside Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast—aims to safeguard constitutional order.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf condemned the plot as a “grave violation of fundamental principles.” While Beninese Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed the situation is under control, Ghanaian and Nigerian forces remain vital stabilizers as a manhunt continues for Tigri, who reportedly fled the country after escaping custody.
Constitutional Disputes and the ‘Power of the Purse’
Despite international praise, the Executive faces a sharp legal backlash at home. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, ranking member on the Defence and Interior Committee, argues that the administration bypassed Article 75(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires parliamentary ratification for international agreements.
This procedural critique was significantly amplified on Dec. 17 by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin slammed the lack of transparency regarding the procurement of the GH₵10 million relief package. “We do not know how these items were procured, the processes involved, or which agency is donating these items,” he stated, insisting that decisions of this magnitude must receive the “blessings of Parliament.”
Perspectives from the Ground: Pride vs. Pragmatism
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described the move as a “decisive shift” in policy, asserting that Ghana’s foreign policy is “guided by a commitment to solidarity.” Supporting this view, security analyst Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning argues that these missions build “diplomatic capital” essential for Ghana’s long-term influence.
However, the mission faces a growing “charity begins at home” backlash fueled by Afenyo-Markin’s sharp comparison between international aid and domestic shortages. He noted that while the state is shipping rice and cocoa products abroad, the National
Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has reportedly told flood victims in Ghana that it has “no stock.” “When you do not have enough to feed your own at home, doing international charity will require a curious concern,” the Minority Leader remarked.
This sentiment is shared by security expert Dr. Adam Bonaa, who argued the government must “strike a balance between being a good neighbor and being a good provider for its own citizens.” Ordinary Ghanaians remain caught between pride and anxiety; Afua Boatemaa Debrah, an Accra resident, noted, “We want to help our brothers in Jamaica, but the government must show us the budget first.”
A Test of Global Leadership
The dual deployments represent a high-stakes gamble in “humanitarian diplomacy.” By positioning the GAF as a regional stabilizer and global relief partner, the administration has elevated Ghana’s international standing. However, the mission’s ultimate success will be judged by the government’s ability to satisfy domestic demands for constitutional transparency and prove that international solidarity does not come at the expense of domestic safety. Balancing Pan-African leadership with domestic economic reality remains the defining challenge for Ghana’s modern foreign policy.
