Comparative Analysis of Ghana and Cape Verde Defence and Foreign Policy

8/10/2019 Comparative Analysis of Ghana and Cape Verde Defence and Foreign Policy

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Topic:

Comparative method to analyse defence and foreign

policies of Ghana and Cape Verde


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Ghanas Foreign Policy

Ghanas attainment of political independence in 1957 marked a significant milestone, not just

for the people of the Gold Coast, as the colony was until then known, but also for the entire

people of Africa and those in the Diaspora. It helped to intensify the struggle by the people ofAfrica for the complete emancipation of the continent from colonial domination and equally

launched an irrevocable march towards the vision of the pan-African leaders of the time. The

leaders envisioned the political unification of the entire African continent, the cessation of the

exploitation of the continents resources, accelerated economic development and the

redemption of the image of the African people. Some of these expectations for Africa in general

and Ghana in particular were captured in the intriguing message of the then Prime Minister, Dr.

Kwame Nkrumah, during the countrys independence celebrations.

Ghana's foreign policy since independence has been characterized by a commitment to the

principles and ideals of nonalignment and Pan-Africanism as first enunciated by Kwame

Nkrumah in the early 1960s. For Nkrumah, nonalignment meant complete independence from

the policies and alliances of both East and West and support for a worldwide union of so-called

nonaligned nations as a counter to both East and West power blocs. Pan-Africanism, by

contrast, was a specifically African policy that envisioned the liberation of African peoples from

Western colonialism and the eventual economic and political unity of the African continent.

Pan-Africanism is an ideology and movement that encourages the solidarity of Africans

worldwide. It is based on the belief that unity is vital to economic, social and political progress

and so, it aims to unify and uplift people of African descent. The ideology asserts that the fate

of all African peoples and countries are intertwined. At its core Pan-Africanism is a belief that

African peoples, both on the continent and in the Diaspora, share not merely a common

history, but a common destiny. With this common history and destiny in mind, Pan-Africanism

stresses the need for collective self-reliance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-Africanism).

The PNDC (Provisional National Defense Council), like most of its predecessors, made serious

and consistent attempts at the practical application of these ideals and principles, and its

successor, the NDC government, promises to follow in the PNDC's footsteps. Under the NDC,

Ghana remains committed to the principle of nonalignment in world politics. Ghana is alsoopposed to interference in the internal affairs of both small and large countries. This is a

departure from Nkrumah's foreign policy approach; Nkrumah was frequently accused of

subverting African regimes, such as Togo and Cte d'Ivoire, which he considered ideologically

conservative. The NDC government, like the PNDC before it, believes in the principle of self-

determination, including the right to political independence and the right of people to pursue

their economic and social development free from external interference. Another feature of


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NDC rule carried over from the PNDC era is faithfulness to what a leading scholar of Africa has

called "one of the most successful neoclassical economic reform efforts supported by the IMF

and the World Bank."

The broad objectives of Ghana's foreign policy thus include maintaining friendly relations and

cooperation with all countries that desire such cooperation, irrespective of ideological

considerations, on the basis of mutual respect and noninterference in each other's internal

affairs. Africa and its liberation and unity are naturally the cornerstones of Ghana's foreign

policy. As a founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), NDC policy is to

adhere faithfully to the OAU Charter.

Another important principle of Ghana's foreign policy involves the closest possible cooperation

with neighboring countries with which the people of Ghana share cultural history, ties of blood,

and economics. The results have included various bilateral trade and economic agreements and

permanent joint commissions involving Ghana and its immediate neighbors, sometimes in the

face of latent ideological and political differences and mutual suspicion, as well as numerous

reciprocal state visits by high-ranking officials. These measures have contributed significantly to

sub regional cooperation, development, and the reduction of tension.

As an example of Ghana's interest in regional cooperation, the country enthusiastically

endorsed formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1975. This

organization was created specifically to foster inter-regional economic and political

cooperation. It has served as a useful vehicle for contacts with neighboring West African

governments and for channeling increased Ghanaian exports to regional markets. Since 1990ECOWAS has been engaged in a peacekeeping mission in Liberia to which Ghana has

contributed a large contingent of troops. Ghana has participated in other international

peacekeeping efforts as well, sending soldiers to operations of the United Nations (UN) in

Cambodia in 1992-93 and Rwanda in 1993-94.

In August 1994, Rawlings became ECOWAS chairman, a post that had eluded him since the

PNDC came to power. He immediately undertook several initiatives to reduce tensions and

conflict in West Africa. Notable among them was the Akosombo Accord of September 12,

designed to end civil war in Liberia (countrystudies.us).

Security Policy

Ghana does not face any significant external security threats. After Rawlings came into power in

1981 his socialist policies allowed it to strengthen Ghanas links with the Soviet Union, Cuba and

Libya. A fair degree of pragmatism prevailed, however, and Ghana also sought links with the
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World Bank and the IMF. Relations with the USA began improving during the 1990s and its

democratization process has won it support in the EU and the UK.

Since the early 1990s, Ghanas contribution to maintaining sub-regional peace and security

through its participation in peacekeeping and peacemaking has increased considerably. Ghanas

involvement in resolving African and international conflicts can be traced to its intervention in

the Congo crisis in the 1960s. Since then, the country has participated in several peacekeeping

and peacemaking missions in countries like Lebanon, Kosovo, the Democratic Republic of Congo

(DRC), Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cte dIvoire. In all these missions, Ghanas peacekeepers have

played a significant role in alleviating immediate human suffering, and its mediators have

helped in creating the basis for the resolution of conflicts in Africa such as in Liberia and Sierra

Leone. By committing human and financial resources to these missions, the countrys

international image has been enhanced.

As a member state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the

African Union (AU), Ghana is committed to the various decisions, resolutions and protocols that

guide these regional mechanisms with specific reference to peacekeeping. The country is thus

obligated to participate actively in decisions and activities of these organizations.

Following the initial intervention in Congo in 1960, Ghana has been involved in more complex

peacekeeping operations beginning with the Liberian and Sierra Leonean conflicts in the early

1990s. In Liberia, Ghana was among the five leading member states of ECOWAS which deployed

troops before the UN Security Council belatedly sanctioned it. On 30 May 1990, a consultative

group later referred to as the Standing Mediation Committee (SMC) comprising Ghana, Guinea,Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone was set up by ECOWAS and charged with the responsibility

for the maintenance of peace and security in the sub-region. During the entire peace process

spanning well over 14 years, Ghana played a leading role in trying to find a sustainable solution

to the conflict. For example, under Ghanas former President Jerry Rawlings, several peace

agreements were brokered in Ghana between 1994 and 1995.

Several questions arise concerning Ghanas role in managing these conflicts. Is it sufficient to

conclude that the country is fully committed to its foreign policy objectives as well as the

principles upon which ECOWAS security policies are based? Furthermore, to what extent canone say that Ghana has been consistent in the implementation of, for example, the ECOWAS

Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Resolution, Peacekeeping and

Security, and the Supplementary protocol on Democracy and Good Governance? Has Ghana

always played a positive role in West African politics? These questions are important because,

on the one hand, Ghana has played a crucial role in the management of the conflicts referred to


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above, but on the other hand, the country has been careful in its response to certain conflicts

such as the crisis which engulfed its neighbour, Togo, in 2005.

Ghanas role in promoting regional security remains integral part of its foreign policy but this

has not been consistent. According to the Constitution of Ghana, in its dealings with other

nations, the Government shall (a) promote and protect the interests of Ghana; (b) seek the

establishment of a just and equitable international economic order; (c) promote respect for

international law, treaty obligations and settlement of international disputes by peaceful

means; (d) adhere to the principles enshrined in or as the case may be, the aims and ideals of

the UN Charter, the OAU Charter, the Commonwealth, the ECOWAS Treaty and any other

organization of which Ghana is a member.

Even though Ghana does not have a defense policy, there are general principles and guidelines

as well as institutions that guide and implement national security policies. These policies such

as participation in peacekeeping in a neighbouring country in conflictcentre on factors

considered important to national well-being and the security of the country. These factors

include, safeguarding the country's constitution and preserving her territorial integrity,

contributing to the socio-economic development of the nation and effective management of

the national resources, ensuring security in the West African sub-region and contributing to

peace and stability in Africa and the wider world.

Whereas the concern for regional security has been consistent irrespective of the regime in

power, relations with immediate neighbours has not always been consistent. This has been

dictated mainly by the regime in power, their ideologies and the relationships that were forged

across the region prior to coming into power. The consistency or otherwise of this regional

security policy lies in the fact that in certain situations, response of the state to crisis in some

neighbouring countries has not been as readily forthcoming as in others. For example, while

there was immediate outspoken condemnation of the coup detat in Cote dIvoire in September

2002, an unconstitutional move by the Togolese Army to install Faure Gnassingbe as the

President of Togo following the death of his father was met with cautious silence from the

Ghana government. Relations with regional neighbours have also been influenced by national

interests. Due to the fact that Ghana imports crude oil from Nigeria, for example, various

governments have always sought to have good relations with Nigeria (Birikorang, 2007).

The main document that enumerates Ghanas foreign policy is the 1992 Constitution. The

provisions of Articles 40, 41, 73 and 81 of the Constitution as well as the guiding Principles of

State Policy enshrined in the Constitution determine certain courses of action to be taken.

These include the promotion and protection of Ghanas interest abroad, the protection of


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Ghanaian citizens, protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ghana, settlement of

disputes by peaceful means, respect for international law and treaty obligations, promoting the

establishment of a just and equitable international economic and social order and adherence to

the principles and charter obligations of international organizations to which Ghana belongs

such as the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of WestAfrican States (ECOWAS), the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). This

constitutional provision has ensured some level of continuity in the formulation and

implementation of Ghanas foreign policy(Birikorang, 2007).

The absence of a well-defined and articulated defense policy document has sometimes resulted

in ad hoc response to crisis such as those in Togo and Cote dIvoire. It is not enough to have

general principles and guidelines as well as institutions that guide and implement defense

policies. Attempts have been made in the past to reform the defense sector and subsequently

draw up a national defense policy (Birikorang, 2007).


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Cape Verde

The country has an estimated population (most ofcreole ethnicity) of about 500,000, with its

capital cityPraia accounting for a quarter of its citizens. Nearly 38% of the population lives in

rural areas according to the 2010 Cape Verdean census; about 10.6% lives below thepoverty

threshold,according to theWorld Bank data |2011|, and the literacy rate is around 85%.Politically, the country is a very stable democracy, with notable economic growth and

improvements of living conditions despite its lack of natural resources, and has garnered

international recognition by other countries and international organizations, which often

providedevelopment aid.Since 2007, Cape Verde has been classified as adeveloping nation.

Tough economic times during the last decades of its colonization and the first years of Cape

Verde's independence led many to migrate to Europe, the Americas and other African

countries. This migration was so significant that the number of Cape Verdeans and their

descendants living abroad currently exceeds the population of Cape Verde itself. Historically,

the influx ofremittances from theseimmigrant communities to their families has provided a

substantial contribution to help strengthen the country's economy. Currently, the Cape

Verdean economy is mostly service-oriented with a growing focus on tourism and foreign

investment, which benefits from the islands' warm climate throughout the year, diverse

landscape

Cape Verde is an island nation. In recent years, its economic growth has chiefly been fuelled by

tourism, and it has undergone a marked improvement in governancenot only economic

governance, but also in terms of democracy, human rights and basic freedoms. In 2008, Cape

Verde joined the group of middle-income countries and became a member of the World Trade

Organization.

However, Cape Verde remains very vulnerableit has scarcely any natural resources and, being

almost totally barren, it is heavily dependent on imports. Development aid and money sent

home by Cape Verdeans working abroad account for some 30% of its GDP. The global financial

crisis has caused a drastic drop in foreign investment and income from tourism.

Despite its economic success and remarkable democratic stability, Cape Verde still has far to go

to eradicate poverty. There are marked disparities within its population in terms of

participation in the economy and distribution of income. The government's efforts to support

Cape Verdean women, who are often in a very vulnerable position, have not yet yielded the

hoped-for results.

Cape Verde pursues a neutral, nonaligned foreign policy and expends considerable effort in

seeking out sources of development aid.Angola,Brazil,thePeople's Republic of China,Cuba,

France,Germany,Portugal,Senegal,Russia,and theUnited States maintain embassies inPraia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creole_peoples#Portuguese_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_thresholdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_thresholdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_bankhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Verde#International_recognitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_aidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developing_countryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remittancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Verde#Emigrationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angolahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angolahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Verde#Emigrationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remittancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developing_countryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_aidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Verde#International_recognitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_bankhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_thresholdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_thresholdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creole_peoples#Portuguese_Africa


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Substantial gains have been made in this direction through grants from both Israel and Arab

states and from new diplomatic embassies and offices in the People's Republic of China, South

Africa, Sweden, Spain, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. Cape Verde

remains in close contact with lusophone Africa through PALOP (African Peoples of Portuguese

Official Language), and with Portugal and Brazil. These seven countries (Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Mozambique, So Tome and Prncipe, Brazil, and Portugal) formed a lusophone

organization to promote cooperation on development and cultural issues in July 1996.


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REFERENCES

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Cape-Verde-FOREIGN-POLICY.html

http://eeas.europa.eu/cape_verde/index_en.htm

http://countrystudies.us/ghana/107.htm

Emma Birikorang: Ghanas Regional Security Policy:Costs, Benefits and ConsistencyKAIPTC Paper No. 20, September 2007
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Cape-Verde-FOREIGN-POLICY.htmlhttp://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Cape-Verde-FOREIGN-POLICY.htmlhttp://eeas.europa.eu/cape_verde/index_en.htmhttp://eeas.europa.eu/cape_verde/index_en.htmhttp://countrystudies.us/ghana/107.htmhttp://countrystudies.us/ghana/107.htmhttp://countrystudies.us/ghana/107.htmhttp://eeas.europa.eu/cape_verde/index_en.htmhttp://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Cape-Verde-FOREIGN-POLICY.html

Comparative Analysis of Ghana and Cape Verde Defence and Foreign Policy

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