President John Dramani Mahama’s announcement of plans to establish Ghana’s first Cyber and Electronic Warfare Centre at the Tamale Air Force Base represents a significant shift in the country’s national security strategy. It reflects growing recognition that modern security threats demand modern responses, particularly in an era where warfare extends beyond land, sea and air into cyberspace.
The proposed facility, to be located in the northern sector of the country, is expected to provide real-time border surveillance and possess cyber and electronic assault capabilities in the event of external threats to national security.
Addressing participants at the 2025 West African Soldiers’ Social Activity (WASSA) at the headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces in Burma Camp, Accra, President Mahama disclosed that preparations were far advanced to procure strategic drones, armoured personnel carriers and advanced communication systems to support the centre.
According to the President, the initiative forms part of a broader modernisation programme aimed at retooling the Ghana Armed Forces to respond effectively to emerging threats across land, sea, air and cyberspace.
He further announced additional acquisitions, including offshore patrol vessels for the Ghana Navy, four new Eurocopter helicopters for the Ghana Air Force and the establishment of two new military units in the Oti and Central Regions, to address evolving internal and regional security dynamics.
The Chronicle finds these developments timely and deserving of commendation. Ghana’s security environment has become increasingly complex, particularly given its proximity to the Sahel, which has emerged as one of the most volatile regions globally. Terrorism, arms proliferation, trans-national crime and extremist activities continue to pose serious threats to stability in the sub-region.
Following the dismantling of ISIS strongholds in parts of the Middle East, militant elements have migrated into West Africa, where they have formed new alliances and exploited porous borders and weak governance structures.
The Sahel has consequently transformed into an “arc of instability” stretching from Western Sahara across to the Horn of Africa. Notably, nearly 70 percent of all terrorist attacks on the African continent now occur within the West African Sahel. The urgency of cyber defence is further highlighted by data from Imani Ghana, a local think tank.
According to their findings, cyber threats in Ghana have intensified alongside rapid digitalisation, causing over GH¢38 million in losses between 2024 and mid-2025.
In the first half of 2025 alone 2,008 incidents were reported, including online fraud (36%), blackmail (14%), data breaches, service disruptions in critical sectors and severe reputational damage that undermines international e-commerce.
These figures demonstrate that cyber threats are not hypothetical, they already have significant economic and operational consequences.
In this context, the move to establish a Cyber and Electronic Warfare Centre is strategic. Cyber and electronic warfare capabilities have become force multipliers in modern conflict.
Cyber-attacks can disrupt military operations, compromise classified information, disable communication systems and damage critical national infrastructure. Such attacks, often carried out by state-sponsored or transnational actors, can have consequences comparable to conventional military assaults.
However, The Chronicle is of the view that global experience has shown that no nation, regardless of its technological sophistication, is immune to successful cyber and electronic attacks. Ghana must, therefore, guard against an overreliance on technology alone.
A credible national security architecture must adopt a layered approach that integrates advanced systems with strong human intelligence, effective border manning and sound institutional coordination.
If fully implemented, the establishment of a centralised Cyber and Electronic Warfare Centre in Tamale would place Ghana among a small number of African countries with clearly defined cyber-electronic warfare capabilities. Countries such as South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda have already made significant investments in bionic security infrastructure.
Equally important is the decision to site the facility in Tamale. Beyond its security implications, the move supports the decentralisation of national development and addresses the persistent overconcentration of state institutions in Accra. Strengthening the northern corridor is both a security necessity and a development imperative.
In conclusion, The Chronicle believes Ghana cannot afford complacency in an era defined by asymmetric warfare and evolving threats. The proposed Cyber and Electronic Warfare Centre in Tamale is a step in the right direction. What remains critical is sustained political commitment, adequate resourcing and a balanced approach that combines technology with human vigilance to safeguard national sovereignty.
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