German Ambassador visits Northern Ghana, reaffirms commitment to peace and development

Over four days, German Ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshoeft travelled across the North, from Tamale to Bolgatanga and Paga, through Gwollu, Zini, Lambussie and Lawra districts in Upper West, and into the Savannah Region.

He visited border posts, military workshops, farming communities, health facilities, and conflict-affected villages. He came, in his own words, “to listen, to see and to learn.”

What he found was a region under pressure. Terrorist spillover from the Sahel, organised crime, the climate crisis, and limited opportunities for young people are reshaping life along Ghana’s northern frontier.

But he also found determination, communities planning for a better future, and security forces working hard to hold the line.

“The North of Ghana is vulnerable. But it is moving forward. And Germany stands firmly at Ghana’s side, because this matters, for Ghana, for the region and most importantly, for the people of the North,” Ambassador Landshoeft said.

The visit was not ceremonial. It was a deliberate effort to ground Germany’s partnership with Ghana in the realities on the ground, assess what is working and reaffirm commitment where it is needed most.

Border and Defense Cooperation

Germany has been a long-standing partner of Ghana’s security agencies in the North. The Ambassador inspected the Ghana Immigration Service vehicle workshop in Tamale and the Paga border post, where Germany has equipped officers with protective gear and a furnished armed camp.

Through the German Armed Forces Technical Advisory Group (GAFTAG), a vehicle maintenance workshop is under construction in Tamale, due for completion in 2026, serving
as the headquarters maintenance hub for the Northern Command, with additional facilities planned for Bolgatanga and Wa.

In Wa, he visited the GAFTAG-commissioned Dog Kennel Facility, with three additional facilities underway in Ho, Takoradi, and Bui.

“A secure nation is never the result of chance. Germany and Ghana have built this through years of sustained commitment, consistent effort and shared values,” the Ambassador said.

Community Stabilisation and Development Cooperation

In Lambussie-Karni and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Districts of the Upper West Region, the Ambassador presided over handover ceremonies under the Coastal State Stability Mechanism (CSSM), supported by Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Handovers included 2 police vehicles, 10 motorbikes, medical equipment and 680 dual desks for schools in each district.

Germany and Ghana are long-standing partners in the field of technical and financial  cooperation. Since 1957, Germany, co-financed by the EU, has financed hundreds of projects all over Ghana in various sectors.

They are implemented by GIZ, KfW, and various NGOs. In the North, the cooperation
focuses on:

• Improving a more citizen-centred development planning process, introducing participatory Community Action Plans and working with districts planning divisions.

• Improving livelihoods, especially through support of farmers on climate adaptation and production efficiency.

• Investing in social infrastructure, such as schools, health facilities or warehouses, through the District Assembly’s Common Fund (DACF).

• Strengthening community-based peace building and early warning.

Ambassador Frederik Landshoeft visited some of the supported communities: In Gbiniyiri, he witnessed a conflict-affected community choosing peace through a participatory Community Action Plan. In Zini, host communities and refugees are building a shared vision of coexistence.

In Oribili, the Ambassador met farmers navigating climate stress and limited economic opportunities. In Kulmasa, he visited the Holy Mother polyclinic serving women and children in one of the Savannah Region’s most underserved areas.

“Investing in people is just as important as investing in borders. Strong borders, resilient communities, and inclusive development are deeply connected. That is the foundation of Germany’s partnership with Ghana,” he said.

Looking ahead

Germany’s partnership with Ghana is long-standing, holistic and built on trust and shared values. Germany will continue to stand firmly by Ghana’s side, investing in security and sustainable development for the people of Ghana, the region and the future.

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