The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has officially launched “Exercise Storm Shield 2026” in the Upper East Region to strengthen combat readiness against violent extremism and terrorism.
The field training operation runs from May 10 to May 20, 2026, focusing heavily on securing Ghana’s northern frontier against spillover threats from the Sahel region.
Launching the Initiative, Brigadier General Worlanyo Agbebo, General Officer Commanding the Northern Command, at Bazua in the Binduri District said “Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism for Sustainable Peace and Development” has become a necessity.
According to him, officer will be concentrated across the Upper East and Bono regions, targeting volatile border networks and internal security hotspots like Bawku with the exercise uniquely integrating the Ghana Army, Ghana Navy, and Ghana Air Force to improve rapid-response coordination.
He said suspected hideouts will be targeted to weed out illicit weapon proliferation and criminal networks as well as stage a real-time response procedure for terrorist encounters and hostage situations.
Brigadier General Agbebo emphasized that physical presence along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border will also be scaled up to stop cross-border incursions.
He reiterated that the multi-branch deployment comes in response to deteriorating security dynamics across West Africa, particularly the spread of militant groups active near Ghana’s borders and urged residents in the Upper East Region not to panic when witnessing large military convoys, assuring citizens that these measures are proactive steps to preserve national integrity.
