'We're building an electronic warfare centre to strengthen security surveillance' — CDS

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has assured that the Ghana Armed Forces is strengthening its surveillance capabilities through the establishment of an electronic warfare centre and the deployment of strategic drones to enhance national and regional security.

According to him, the initiative forms part of government's efforts to improve intelligence gathering and monitor Ghana's borders more effectively amid growing security threats in the sub-region.

Lt. Gen. Agyapong made the remarks at a Republic Day lecture organised by the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in collaboration with the One Ghana Movement on Wednesday, July 1.

The lecture was held on the theme, "From the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea: Violent Extremism and Maritime Insecurity in West Africa: Implications for Ghana and Regional Security."

"Where we cannot occupy, we make sure from wherever we are we can see, and that is what the present government is doing," he said.

The Chief of the Defence Staff disclosed that work on the electronic warfare centre announced by President John Dramani Mahama during the 2026 State of the Nation Address is far advanced.

He explained that the facility will house drone production units, training units and intelligence operations to improve surveillance and early warning capabilities.

He noted that although deploying surveillance assets along every section of Ghana's borders remains costly, advances in technology will enable the military to monitor vast areas from strategic locations.

"We're going to have strategic drones, which will help us see our northern border and even beyond. We may not be able to deploy them along all the borders at this time because it's very expensive, but the fact that we can see from Tamale what is happening on the northern border and across, is very important," he said.

Lt. Gen. Agyapong assured Ghanaians that the Armed Forces is fully aware of the evolving security threats facing the country and that government is investing in the capabilities needed to address them, although he acknowledged that the process will take time.