Ghana and other West African nations must urgently adopt a drone-ready security doctrine to counter the increasing threat from jihadist groups. This strategic shift is vital for national security and regional stability. The extensive and often unpatrollable land borders, like Ghana's 2,090 km frontier, are particularly vulnerable to infiltration.
Jihadist groups, including Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), have already deployed kamikaze drones deep within the Sahel region. Their operational reach now extends to the borders of Togo, Ivory Coast, and Benin. In January 2026, an Islamic State affiliate reportedly used kamikaze drones in a coordinated assault on Niamey's international airport in Niger. Benin also recorded its deadliest jihadist attack in years, approximately 300 kilometres from Accra.
This growing threat underscores a critical vulnerability for Ghana. The country's long land borders, traversing forests and waterways, were not designed for modern security challenges. Traditional patrol methods are insufficient given limited manpower and overstretched budgets. The adoption of drone technology offers a cost-effective solution for surveillance and rapid response, mirroring strategies seen in other conflict zones.
The transformative power of drones has been clearly demonstrated in the Russia-Ukraine war. A 2026 study by Dr. Fred P. Hoffman, Dr. Behsat Ekici, and Brock Ruth of Mercyhurst University's Intelligence Studies Department highlights this. They argue that drone warfare represents a full military revolution, not merely a revolution in military affairs. This means drones are redefining how wars are fought, how militaries are organised, and how states function.
The study, published in the Croatian defence journal Strategos, cites striking figures. Ukraine reportedly manufactured about 2.2 million small first-person-view (FPV) drones in 2024 alone. It also produced around 100,000 larger long-range models, with most used by its troops being domestically manufactured. These FPV drones, costing just $500 each, now account for a large share of Russian casualties, estimated near 80 percent, making them deadlier than artillery on the battlefield.
A Ukrainian interceptor drone built for roughly $1,600 has successfully shot down Russian reconnaissance drones worth tens of thousands of dollars each. As one Kyiv-based electronic-warfare executive noted, a single guided missile can cost a million dollars. That same amount buys ten thousand drones capable of far more damage. This cost-effectiveness is a crucial factor for West African security agencies facing resource constraints.
Beyond the battlefield, drones also influence state decision-making. Dr. Erik Lin-Greenberg's 2025 book, "The Remote Revolution: Drones and Modern Statecraft," explores this. He argues that because drone missions carry no risk of a pilot being captured or killed, they lower the political cost of using force. This low cost, however, also makes operations less likely to escalate into wider, more intense conflicts. Drones add a new step to the escalation ladder, providing states with a more convenient way to respond to threats.
For Ghana and its neighbours, embracing drone technology means not only enhancing border security but also adapting to a new era of warfare. This shift requires significant investment in technology, training, and strategic planning. Failure to adapt could leave the region increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated threats from non-state actors. Decision-makers must prioritize this transformation to safeguard national interests and regional stability.