Recent discussions about the establishment of new U.S. drone bases in West Africa—specifically in Ghana, Benin, and Ivory Coast—demand urgent scrutiny. While presented as efforts to counter terrorism and monitor foreign influence, these moves signal deeper concerns about Africa’s independence and control over its own security.
A Pattern of External Control
Foreign military interventions have historically shaped Africa’s geopolitics, often under the guise of stability and counterterrorism. However, history has demonstrated that foreign bases frequently serve external interests more than local stability. The establishment of drone bases risks perpetuating a cycle where African nations become staging grounds for international conflicts rather than autonomous decision-makers shaping their own futures.
Beyond security concerns, foreign military bases often influence economic policies. The presence of powerful external actors can lead to exploitative agreements that benefit foreign interests more than local economies. Africa’s airspace and strategic locations should serve the continent’s own development—not as surveillance hubs for global powers.
The CIA’s Role in Destabilizing Ghana and Africa
Historically, the CIA has played a significant role in destabilizing African nations, particularly those pursuing economic sovereignty and political independence. Ghana’s own history offers a stark example:
The 1966 Coup Against Kwame Nkrumah – Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, advocated for Pan-African unity, resource nationalism, and non-alignment in global politics. His stance threatened Western economic interests, particularly corporate control over African minerals. Declassified documents reveal CIA involvement in orchestrating the coup that removed him, setting Ghana on a path toward increased Western influence. Cold War Manipulations – Throughout the Cold War, the U.S. intelligence apparatus worked to undermine African leaders who sought independence from Western economic systems. African nationalist movements were frequently infiltrated, leaders were discredited, and political instability was exacerbated to maintain external control. Economic Sabotage – African nations attempting self-reliance have often faced economic sabotage, ranging from manipulated commodity markets to strategic debt policies. The objective has consistently been to ensure dependency, preventing genuine financial autonomy.
The Use of African Americans in Intelligence and Influence Operations
A particularly nuanced aspect of foreign engagement in Africa is the deployment of African Americans in intelligence and diplomatic roles. While this may outwardly seem like an effort to establish cultural connections, it also serves deeper strategic purposes:
Psychological Influence – Having African Americans lead intelligence and military operations can soften perceptions of foreign intervention, making it appear as though African interests are being represented. This is a calculated diplomatic tool to reduce local resistance. Infiltration of Pan-African Movements – Historically, African American figures have been used to monitor, disrupt, and redirect Pan-African movements under the guise of collaboration. Some have served genuine roles in promoting African self-determination, while others were strategically positioned to weaken movements advocating for African sovereignty. Military Representation as Cover – By appointing African American generals to lead U.S. military operations in Africa, the U.S. presents an image of solidarity, obscuring the core geopolitical motives behind military engagements. The underlying strategy remains the same—military bases serve U.S. interests above African stability.
African Leaders Must Follow the Traoré Example
Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, has demonstrated bold leadership by rejecting foreign military bases, reinforcing self-reliance, and prioritizing the protection of national wealth. His model offers valuable lessons for other African nations, particularly in West Africa:
Gradually closing foreign military bases to reduce external interference in Africa’s security affairs. Investing in homegrown security solutions, strengthening intelligence, cybersecurity, and military cooperation within ECOWAS and the AU. Protecting natural resources, ensuring that Africa’s minerals, energy reserves, and agricultural wealth benefit local economies rather than foreign corporations.
Strategic Policy Recommendations for President Mahama’s Administration
If Ghana is to maintain sovereignty, President Mahama’s administration must implement policies that safeguard national security, economic independence, and Africa’s long-term prosperity. Below are key recommendations:
1. Establish Ghana’s Sovereign Security Doctrine
Ghana must prioritize its own security interests by developing a sovereign defense strategy that ensures full national control over military operations. This doctrine should:
Reject permanent foreign military installations that compromise Ghana’s autonomy. Mandate transparency in any military cooperation agreements with external powers. Promote national intelligence capacity-building, ensuring Ghana does not rely on foreign nations for intelligence operations.
2. Strengthen Regional Security Through African-Led Initiatives
Instead of relying on foreign powers for security, Ghana should push for deeper collaboration within ECOWAS and the AU, including:
– **A West African Rapid Response Force**, capable of handling regional security threats without external intervention.
Unified intelligence-sharing mechanisms, ensuring African nations protect their own information assets rather than outsourcing surveillance to foreign agencies. Defensive alliances built on African self-sufficiency, prioritizing joint training and investment in military industries.
3. Protect Ghana’s Natural Wealth Through Resource Nationalism
Foreign military bases are often linked to economic exploitation. Ghana must secure its resources by:
– **Renegotiating mineral extraction contracts** to ensure fairer terms that benefit local communities. – **Implementing a sovereign wealth fund** that reinvests natural resource earnings into long-term national development. – **Restricting foreign military-linked mining operations**, preventing external forces from using security agreements as leverage for economic control.
4. Promote Economic Independence and Reduce Dependency
Military sovereignty cannot exist without economic independence. Ghana should:
Diversify trade relationships to avoid over-reliance on Western economies. Increase domestic industrial capacity, reducing dependence on foreign imports. Invest in agricultural self-sufficiency, ensuring food security as a means of reinforcing overall national stability.
5. Reassert Ghana’s Leadership in Pan-African Sovereignty
Historically, Ghana has played a leading role in African independence movements. Under Mahama’s administration, Ghana can take the lead again by:
Advocating for the gradual removal of foreign military forces from African soil. Encouraging joint African economic and security frameworks that prioritize local decision-making. Strengthening African institutions to ensure governance remains free from foreign influence.
A Call for Unity and African-Led Security
Africa’s wealth—both its natural resources and its strategic position—must serve African interests, not foreign agendas. Military interventions often ferment conflict rather than resolving it, further destabilizing regions while increasing dependency on external forces.
To safeguard sovereignty, African leaders must unite, reject foreign militarization, and prioritize internal security frameworks. The future must be one of self-reliance, strategic collaboration, and resource nationalism—ensuring that Africa’s fate remains in African hands.
Retired Senior Citizen
Teshie-Nungua
[email protected]
