The 20th Edition of Exercise African Lion commenced under the theme, "Twenty years of Close Partnership in Countering Violent Extremism, Better Years Ahead" on Tuesday 14 May 2024.

With an opening ceremony held at the Justice Opoku Hall, Kamina Barracks under the auspices of the Southern European Task Force - Africa (SETAF-AF), the exercise focuses on enhancing readiness between the United States and partner nation forces through multi-component, multinational and joint all-domain exercises that employ a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theatre for strategic access.

In his opening remarks, the General Officer Commanding Northern Command, Brigadier General Frank Tei implored the participants to re-affirm their commitment to fostering collaboration, strengthening partnership and nurturing peace and security in their communities.

He added that the exercise represented a pivotal moment in the fight against terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel Region and a testament to a shared determination to confront the threat head on and to save lives

The Deputy Commanding General National Guard US Army SETAF-AF, Brigadier General John Leblancon stated that the in size and scope of the exercise has increased with over 600 participants from the United States and across the African continent conducting military activities in Accra, Tamale and Damongo.

He expressed gratitude to the GOC for hosting the exercise and hoped that the exercise would achieve its objective of enhanced security partnership between the United States and Ghana.

The 14 days would cover Academics, Staff Planning Exercise, Special Operation Force Exercise, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosives training, Medical Civic Action Programmes and Field Training Exercise

It aims to expose the participants to border security and countering violent extremist operations within a multinational operating setting. Exercise African Lion 24 would be climaxed with a Distinguished Visitors Day where dignitaries would witness a demonstration at the Air Force Base, Tamale.

Exercise African Lion would have over 8100 participants from over 27 countries partaking in the exercise in Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal.