Ghana Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 125th
MPR SCORE: 243
MPR Index: 0.0661 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8850 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.546 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Ghana ranks 125th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) are among the most respected and professional militaries in West Africa, with a longstanding commitment to internal stability, border defense, and multinational peacekeeping operations. Ghana’s defense doctrine is built around territorial defense, civil-military cooperation, and support to state development and disaster response.
GAF includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a well-established command structure and apolitical officer corps. Though the military has limited offensive capabilities or heavy equipment, it compensates with regional leadership, international training partnerships, and strong contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. Ghana is widely seen as a pillar of stability in West Africa, and its forces are actively deployed in multinational operations, particularly under the African Union and ECOWAS mandates.
Strengths
1. High International Reputation and Peacekeeping Leadership
Ghana consistently ranks among the top troop-contributing nations to UN peacekeeping, with deployments in DR Congo, Lebanon, South Sudan, and Mali, earning praise for discipline, adaptability, and multinational coordination.
2. Professional and Apolitical Armed Forces
The GAF is firmly under civilian control, with a history of non-intervention in politics since the 1990s, setting it apart from other regional militaries that have experienced coups or partisan interference.
3. Integrated Civil Support and Disaster Response
Ghana’s military plays a key role in disaster relief, flood response, and infrastructure development, with engineering units and logistics elements regularly supporting national civilian programs and rural stability missions.
Why Ghana Is Still Ranked 125th
1. Limited Heavy Equipment and Conventional Capability
The GAF does not operate main battle tanks, long-range artillery, or multirole combat aircraft, relying instead on light infantry, patrol boats, and transport aircraft, which limits its warfighting potential.
2. Small Budget and Procurement Limitations
Defense spending remains moderate, with slow procurement cycles and limited investment in advanced systems, making Ghana dependent on foreign donations and training missions for technology and force modernization.
3. No Strategic Force Projection or Deterrence Systems
Ghana has no offensive missile systems, air defense networks, or regional rapid deployment capabilities, restricting its influence to peacekeeping and internal roles without strategic deterrence reach.
Conclusion
Ghana’s military is a model of professionalism and regional engagement, focused on defense, humanitarian support, and peacekeeping, rather than force projection. Though modest in hard power, the strategic organization, discipline, and international partnerships of the Ghana Armed Forces make them an essential player in West African security, disaster response, and global peacekeeping efforts. Its low global ranking reflects limited combat systems, not a lack of capability within its mission scope.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 15,500
Reserve Personnel: 10,000
Paramilitary Forces: 9,000 (border guard and national security forces)
Army Personnel: 10,000
Navy Personnel: 2,500
Air Force Personnel: 3,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 200+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 80+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): None
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 2+
Transport Aircraft: 8+
Training Aircraft: 6+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Mi-17 and Z-9 Helicopters: Operational
C-295 and An-26 Transport Aircraft: In service
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano: Training/light surveillance roles
Naval Forces
Warships: 7+
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 1–2
Patrol Boats: 5+
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Snake-class Patrol Boats: In coastal use
Albatross-class Corvette: Limited capability
River-class Offshore Patrol Vessels: Operational in Gulf of Guinea
Missile Capabilities
Ghana does not operate missile systems. The country relies on light arms, short-range air defense, and surveillance equipment for internal security and territorial control. Naval operations are supported by radar, fast patrol craft, and cooperative security efforts.
Strategic Partnerships
Ghana maintains strong defense ties with the United States, China, India, and the United Kingdom. It participates actively in ECOWAS regional security initiatives and African Standby Force programs. Ghana is also a top African contributor to UN peacekeeping deployments and hosts joint exercises with NATO and Western allies.
Military History & Combat Experience
Ghana’s military history is characterized by internal stabilization, transition from military rule, and extensive peacekeeping experience across Africa and beyond, making it one of the most deployed militaries in non-combat roles.
Military Governance and Democratic Transition (1966–1993):
Ghana experienced a series of military coups between the 1960s and 1980s, culminating in the leadership of Jerry Rawlings, who transitioned the country to democracy. Since the 1990s, the GAF has remained non-political and focused entirely on national defense and external operations.UN Peacekeeping Contributions (1980s–present):
Ghana has participated in over 30 UN missions, including in Lebanon (UNIFIL), DR Congo (MONUSCO), South Sudan (UNMISS), Ivory Coast (UNOCI), and Liberia (UNMIL). Ghanaian troops serve in engineering, military police, and combat support roles, often under multinational command structures.ECOWAS Missions and Regional Stability (1990s–2000s):
Ghana played a key role in ECOWAS peace enforcement operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, contributing troops to ECOMOG missions. These operations enhanced Ghana’s profile as a neutral and stabilizing force in West Africa.Support to Civilian Authorities and Natural Disaster Operations:
Domestically, the GAF is active in disaster response, public infrastructure repair, COVID-19 logistics, and emergency medical deployment, demonstrating strong civil-military integration and institutional reliability.
Ghana’s military experience is defined not by warfare but by peace enforcement, multilateral contribution, and state-building support, reinforcing its image as a security contributor rather than a conventional fighting force.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~35.5 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~12.3 million
Geographic Area: 238,533 km²
Land Boundaries: 2,094 km
Bordering Countries: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo
Coastline: 539 km
Climate: Tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast
Terrain: Mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Natural Resources: Gold, oil, timber, diamonds, bauxite, manganese
Proven Oil Reserves: ~660 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~0.8 trillion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$880 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.2%
GDP (PPP): ~$190 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$5,300
External Debt: ~$33 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Increasing; coastal security and peacekeeping focus
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Maritime security, peacekeeping, border control
Military Industry Base: Limited; uniforms, logistics, small arms repair
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into military zones under Ghana Armed Forces (GAF)
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, short-range artillery
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~35,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: GhanaSat-1 launched in 2017; research support continues
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Military Intelligence Directorate
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: AU, U.S., ECOWAS
Airports (Total): ~30
Major Military Airports: Accra, Tamale
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~30 vessels
Major Ports: Tema, Takoradi
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol, interceptors, OPVs
Naval Replenishment Capability: Regional capability
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~947 km
Roadways: ~72,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~175,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Declining due to domestic production
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains national reserve infrastructure
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Light arms, uniforms, ammunition
Military Installations (Domestic): Accra, Takoradi, Tamale
Military Installations (Overseas): Peacekeeping deployments
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: U.S. presence at cooperation facilities
Defense Alliances: AU, ECOWAS, bilateral with U.S.
Strategic Airlift Capability: C-295, CASA aircraft, helicopters
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Modest; cybersecurity, UAV support
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Oil logistics, port authorities, national construction units
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Accra
Founding Date: March 6, 1957 (independence from UK)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic
