Soldiers Benefit From US Military Training

The joint military exercise between the US Marines and the Ghana Armed Forces ended over the weekend. The exercises, which took place at the Mankoadze beach in the Central Region, included naval surface and amphibious operations, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance.

A total of 680 personnel including 325 US Marines and 105 Ghana Navy and Army personnel participated in the exercise aimed at strengthening the tactical manoeuvrings of military personnel of both countries and to foster cooperation between the naval forces of the US and her West African counterparts.

The training is part of the West African Training Cruise (WATC) which is sponsored by the American Government and organised by the US Naval Forces Europe, on the West Coast of Africa every two years.

The WATC training team also delivered items from "Project Handclasp" to the chiefs and people of Mankoadze community. Through the project US Navy personnel distribute food, clothing, healthcare supplies, school materials and other items donated by American companies, organisations and individuals worldwide. The team is also mounting a clinic to administer vaccines to children and screen the eyes of the town folks.

The US Ambassador to Ghana, Ms. Nancy Powell commended all the participants, emphasising that the US views this type of training as a priority even as the US military is occupied with the conflict in Afghanistan.

She said this type of training is a direct result of Ghana choosing the paths of democracy and civilian control of the military. She praised the level of professionalism of the Ghana Armed Forces and expressed the hope that the exercise would strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

The Deputy Defence Minister, Mr. Edward Akita expressed satisfaction about the humanitarian focus of the exercise this year. "Such activities endear the Armed Forces to civil society, which is very necessary and vital for the accomplishment of the new political dispensation we have in Ghana. Handclasp which is the presentation of gifts to selected communities does not only help alleviate the sufferings of our people in deprived areas but also reinforces the building of friendship between those in uniform and civil society in both countries," he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Seth Obeng, Service Commanders, the US Ambassador, Nancy Powell, the Deputy Defence Minister, Edward M. Akita and the Deputy Commander of the US Marine Corps Forces based in Europe, Maj. Gen. Arnold Fields boarded the USS Gunston Hall, a US naval ship, to familiarize themselves with the operations of the vessel.

The Ghanaian troops used GNS Achimota, GNS Anzone and GNS Yogaga for the exercise.