The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has partnered with the French Military for intense jungle warfare training aimed at boosting the effectiveness of operations against armed illegal miners, MyJoyOnline has learned.

The joint exercise has been ongoing for several weeks at the Achiase Jungle Warfare Training School, where both Ghanaian and French troops engage in live-fire drills and tactical jungle operations.

Illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, has remained a persistent challenge in Ghana despite government crackdowns. Operations against heavily armed miners often require highly coordinated military interventions due to the rugged terrain and the miners’ use of improvised weapons.

The collaboration with the French Military forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s security response to illegal mining while ensuring that soldiers are well-prepared for the physical and tactical demands of jungle combat.

According to sources, the French contingent brings expertise in jungle warfare, live-fire operations, and combat strategy, which complements the GAF’s ongoing initiatives.
The French military has also developed significant expertise in combating illegal mining through its operations in French Guiana, one of France’s overseas territories.

Commander of the Army Training Command, Brigadier General Joshua Amanor, explains that the soldiers undergoing the training are not currently part of NAIMOS.

He notes that troops on active NAIMOS operations cannot be withdrawn for training, but due to routine rotations, these soldiers could soon be deployed to apply the skills they have acquired.

The head of the French military team, Lieutenant Nicholas, says the engagement has been mutually beneficial, stressing that while his team has shared expertise, they are also leaving Ghana with added skills.

Joynews, Gemma Appiah, who spent a day observing the exercises, reports that Ghanaian troops are now engaging in simulated ambushes, tracking, and reconnaissance drills alongside their French counterparts, with emphasis on coordination and safety under fire.