‎Türkİye Marks 104th Victory Day In Accra, Reaffirms Defence Ties With Ghana

Türkiye's diplomatic and military establishment in Ghana marked the 104th anniversary of Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day with a reception in Accra on August 30, 2026, bringing together representatives of the Ghana Armed Forces, defence attachés, and members of the diplomatic corps. The address was delivered by Military Attaché Colonel Ahmet Pakis.

A VICTORY THAT FOUNDED A REPUBLIC
In his remarks, Colonel Pakis traced the anniversary to the campaign that began in Samsun in 1919 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and culminated in victory at the Battle of the Commander-in-Chief on August 30, 1922 a triumph that "rose to the skies" with the founding of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923.He situated the Republic as the youngest link in an unbroken state tradition running from the Seljuk Empire through the Ottoman Empire to modern Türkiye.

Before turning to the celebratory portion of the address, Colonel Pakis extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a ship accident off the coast of Girne in Northern Cyprus, striking a solemn note amid the commemorations.

DEFENCE INDUSTRY AND GLOBAL REACH
Colonel Pakis devoted significant attention to Türkiye's expanding defence-industrial base, noting that the country now designs and produces unmanned land, sea and air vehicles, helicopters, smart munitions, missiles, and electronic warfare systems domestically, exporting them to numerous countries on a "win-win" basis with allied states.

He credited the Turkish Armed Forces with over four decades of counter-terrorism experience and described the military as playing a role in peace and stability efforts under United Nations and NATO frameworks.

GHANA-TÜRKİYE MILITARY COOPERATION DEEPENS

Turning to bilateral ties, Colonel Pakis highlighted concrete strides in Ghana-Türkiye military relations over the past three years, during which Ghana Armed Forces personnel have undergone specialised training at various Turkish military institutions.

He also referenced a 2025 study tour by a delegation from the Ghana National College of Defence Studies to Türkiye, describing the bilateral relationship as one strengthening "day by day" on a foundation of mutual respect and shared values.

Colonel Pakis closed his remarks with tributes to Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, as well as to Turkish martyrs and veterans, reflecting the solemn undertone that runs alongside the day's patriotic celebrations across Turkish missions worldwide.

CONTEXT: A GROWING PARTNERSHIP
The Accra reception is the latest marker in a Türkiye-Ghana relationship that has deepened steadily in recent years, spanning defence training, cultural diplomacy through institutions such as TRT Afrika Hausa, TIKA, the Maarif Foundation, and religious and humanitarian outreach via Diyanet.

The defence and military-education cooperation outlined at this year's Victory Day reception adds a further dimension to that broader engagement, at a time when Ankara has been positioning itself as a defence-industry partner of choice across West Africa.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/Science communicator, Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,United States Institute of Peace (USIP), [email protected] +233555275880

Reference
Speech delivered by Military Attaché Colonel Ahmet Pakis at the 104th Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day reception, Accra, August 30, 2026.