AFRICOM Commander visits Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, began a multi-day visit to West Africa, which included stops in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire September 20-21.



By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Sep 22, 2021
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 6 images

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, began a multi-day visit to West Africa, which included stops in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire September 20-21. 

Townsend met with government officials and senior military representatives to discuss the need for continued cross-border cooperation to improve and maintain security across the region. 

“The visits to Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have been very productive,” said Townsend. “I was able to meet with senior African leaders to talk about the importance of continuing our regional approach to addressing security issues and how we at U.S. Africa Command can help.” 

In Ghana, Townsend met with the Ghanaian Air Chief Air Vice Marshall Frank Hanson and Air Commodore David Akrong, air force base commander in Tamale. Townsend also visited Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, which supports the U.S. Africa Command mission. 

The 2nd SFAB provides trainer-advisers who work with security partners across the African continent to increase theater security cooperation efforts.

“The SFAB’s provide a unique capability to the command. They provide tailored support to our African partners,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command. “They are in Ghana to train, support and advise the Ghanaian Armed Forces in support of their operations focused on emerging terrorist threats and border security.”

In Côte d’Ivoire, Townsend met with Ivoirian president Alassane Ouattara, Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Lassina Doumbia, and other Ivorian security leaders to discuss cooperative training opportunities. Townsend also toured the International Counter-Terrorism Training Academy, French acronym AILCT.

The AILCT was established in October 2018 in partnership with France. The academy brings together specialized services to tackle security challenges posed by terrorist threats from both a regional and global perspective. 

U.S. Africa Command and our West African partners continue to work toward our shared goal of securing their northern borders from encroachment by terrorist and other violent groups, improving maritime domain awareness, and increasing security cooperation across the region.

More in Partnerships
Commander’s Visit to East Africa Reiterates Security Partnerships, Cooperation
“Despite the growing threats of terrorist groups like ISIS and al Shabaab, our continued partnership with Djibouti furthers our ability to counter terrorism and promote peace and security,” Langley said.
Read more
Dr. Jason Womack Inspires Senior Enlisted Leaders with Visionary Leadership Framework at ASELC 2025 in Morocco
RABAT, Morocco – June 12, 2025 — On the final day of the 7th annual Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC), Dr. Jason “JW” Womack, Senior Director for Organizational Engagement and Leader Development for the U.S. Space Force, delivered a keynote that resonated with senior enlisted leaders from Africa and the United States.
Read more
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Commander’s Visit to East Africa Reiterates Security Partnerships, Cooperation
“Despite the growing threats of terrorist groups like ISIS and al Shabaab, our continued partnership with Djibouti furthers our ability to counter terrorism and promote peace and security,” Langley said.
Read more
Dr. Jason Womack Inspires Senior Enlisted Leaders with Visionary Leadership Framework at ASELC 2025 in Morocco
RABAT, Morocco – June 12, 2025 — On the final day of the 7th annual Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC), Dr. Jason “JW” Womack, Senior Director for Organizational Engagement and Leader Development for the U.S. Space Force, delivered a keynote that resonated with senior enlisted leaders from Africa and the United States.
Read more
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Commander’s Visit to East Africa Reiterates Security Partnerships, Cooperation
“Despite the growing threats of terrorist groups like ISIS and al Shabaab, our continued partnership with Djibouti furthers our ability to counter terrorism and promote peace and security,” Langley said.
Read more
Dr. Jason Womack Inspires Senior Enlisted Leaders with Visionary Leadership Framework at ASELC 2025 in Morocco
RABAT, Morocco – June 12, 2025 — On the final day of the 7th annual Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC), Dr. Jason “JW” Womack, Senior Director for Organizational Engagement and Leader Development for the U.S. Space Force, delivered a keynote that resonated with senior enlisted leaders from Africa and the United States.
Read more
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more