South African Army Chief Visits Ghana

Accra, May 15, GNA - The South African Army Chief, Lieutenant General Gilbert Ranamo on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Defence, Lieutenant Colonel Enoch Donkoh at Burma Camp in Accra.

Lt. Gen. Ramano, who is the first South African Army Chief to visit Ghana, is on a two-day working visit as part of a confidence-building measure in Africa. He said his visit is to thank Ghana for its contributions to his country's liberation struggle, establish good military relations between the two countries and "rediscover Africa."

Lt. Col. Donkoh said Ghana was happy to renew co-operation between the two countries. He said a Memorandum of Understanding, which is to be signed later in the month, would enhance collaboration between the Armed Forces of both countries.

Lt Col. Donkoh said the military was looking specifically at collaboration in the medical field, peacekeeping and air pilot training. Lt. Gen. Ranamo was accompanied by a three-man delegation, made up of Col. Horst Schobesbergen, a Senior Staff officer for communications, Col. J. C. Benkes, a Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Army and Warrant Officer Class One, Jacobus Moorcroft, the Sergeant-Major of the South African Army.

Lt. Gen. Ranamo would also pay calls on the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Ben Akafia and the Army Commander, Brigadier Joseph Smith.