France recalibrates West Africa strategy with joint naval drill in Ghana

France has deepened its military ties with Ghana through a four-day joint naval exercise,as Paris pivots towards coastal West African nations after military setbacks in the Sahel.

The French amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre docked at Ghana’s Tema Port on September 30,for the exercise,aimed at improving maritime security and operational coordination in the Gulf of Guinea. The 2025 Regional Onboard and Digital Training Course (SIREN) included training on maritime rescue,anti-piracy,pollution control,crisis management,and regional cooperation. It was led by Naval Captain Arnaud Bolelli,in collaboration with Ghana’s Eastern Naval Command under Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi.

France’s renewed focus on the Gulf of Guinea follows its military withdrawal from Mali,Burkina Faso,and Niger — now aligned under the anti-French Alliance of Sahel States. The Tonnerre’s deployment signals a shift from direct intervention to regional capacity-building and partnerships with democratically stable nations like Ghana,Côte d’Ivoire,and Senegal. Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture,Emelia Arthur,stressed the importance of maritime security,noting challenges like illegal fishing,piracy,and environmental degradation that threaten livelihoods and stability.

While some African nations push back against Western presence,Ghana welcomes strategic cooperation. With increasing influence from China,Russia,and the United States,the drill highlights growing geopolitical competition in Africa’s security space — and Ghana’s pragmatic stance in securing external support to confront regional threats.