Israeli Defence Force to train military in counter-terrorism

In a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), a team of seven officers is scheduled to arrive in Ghana to hold a three-day counter-terrorism training to the Ghana Armed Forces’ 64 Regiment Special Unit.

This special collaboration between the IDF and GAF is led by the Israeli and Ghanaian Chiefs of Defence Staff and Ministers of Defence.

The training is scheduled to take place at the Ghana Armed Forces’ Asutsuare Military Base from Monday, September 3 to Wednesday, September 5.

About 25 military commanders are expected to benefit from the training, which will include shooting ranges, Krav maga (an Israeli self-defense and fighting system) and skills building for dealing with hostage situation.

The trainers are high-ranked officers from different units and field missions with large expertise in counter-terrorism tactics.

A final exercise and closing ceremony will be held on Wednesday at the Asutusare Military Base for senior officials, in the presence of the Chief of Defence Staff.

This training is the second in its nature being conducted by the IDF in the world and the first ever in Africa.

Military Relations between Ghana and Israel dates back from 1959, when the IDF collaborated with GAF to build GAF’s Air Force.

The relations were halted in 1964. However, they were renewed with the reopening of IDF’s Military Attache’ Office to Africa in 2017.

The current training is led from the Ghanaian side by Director General, Air Commodore Wayoe and Deputy Director, Col. Ako Adjei and from the Israeli side by IDF Military Attache’ Col. (Res) Aviezer Segal and Director of Africa Division at the Israeli Ministry of Defence (SIBAT), Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Asaf Dvir.

In the last year, three personnel from GAF have attended various training and seminars in the International Relations and Counter-Terrorism Units of the IDF.

A total of 871 Ghanaian soldiers have served in the UN Peacekeeping Forces in the North of Israel, in charge of the surveillance of the military relations with Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Currently, the Head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the North of Israel, in charge of the surveillance of the military relations with Syria is a Ghanaian Officer, accompanied by a five-member staff of Ghanaian soldiers.