Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has issued a staunch defence of the nation’s long-standing policy against hosting foreign military bases, arguing that the escalating conflict in the Middle East proves the wisdom of Ghana’s stern neutrality. Speaking at the Chatham House think tank on Monday, 9th March 2026, the minister addressed growing regional anxieties over international defence pacts, including the pending EU-Ghana security cooperation, by clarifying that while Accra welcomes strategic partnerships, it will never concede its territory for the stationing of foreign troops. The ‘Red Line’ of sovereignty The minister’s comments come at a time of extreme geopolitical tension, as the US/Israel-Iran conflict spills over into neighbouring Gulf states. Recent retaliatory strikes by Tehran against regional hubs hosting American military assets have served as a grim backdrop for Ghana’s diplomatic positioning. Ablakwa noted that Ghana’s refusal to host such ba...