Make America Great Again (MAGA) and U.S.–Africa Military Cooperation: Temporary Setback or Wake-Up Call?

During my naval career, I was privileged to receive extensive professional military education at United States military institutions. The values, skills, and strategic perspectives I acquired not only shaped my leadership but also proved invaluable when I served as Chief of the Naval Staff of Ghana. Indeed, that U.S. experience helped to deepen cooperation between the Ghana Navy and the United States, particularly in areas such as maritime security and defence diplomacy.

It is therefore deeply concerning that so far this year, all professional military education opportunities for Ghanaian officers in the United States have been cancelled. This development, if sustained, will significantly affect the future of U.S.–Africa military cooperation and erode America’s influence on the continent. At a time when Africa faces persistent maritime insecurity, violent extremism, and growing geopolitical competition, such a retreat risks creating vacuums that others are eager to fill.

The MAGA vision emphasises putting America first, but it risks overlooking the long-term strategic dividends of investing in enduring partnerships. Training and education are not mere programmes; they build trust, mutual understanding, and networks of influence that underpin cooperation in times of crisis.

President Bill Clinton once observed that “America is admired not because of the example of its power but by the power of its example.” Reducing these vital educational exchanges undermines that power of example and signals disengagement at a moment when African nations are most in need of reliable partners.

The question now is whether this is a temporary setback—or a wake-up call for Africa to assume greater responsibility for its security and to diversify its partnerships. For the United States, the challenge is to balance domestic priorities with the strategic imperative of maintaining meaningful engagement in Africa. For Africa, the challenge is to seize this moment to strengthen regional security frameworks and ensure resilience in the face of evolving threats.

The stakes could not be higher—for both sides.