US Donates $300,000 Equipment To GAF

The US envoy being welcomed to the Bundase Training Camp

The US Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan, last Friday presented a Motorola radio communication network valued at $300,000 to the Ghana Armed Forces.

The transfer of the equipment was ceremoniously done at the Bundase Training Camp.

The equipment was funded through the Department of State Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) and included installation and new equipment training.

The equipment provides the Ghana Armed Forces with critical communications capabilities that will enhance their pre-deployment training in advance of United Nations Peacekeeping Missions.

The United States has partnered Ghana for over two decades in capacity building efforts for peacekeeping missions and regional stability operations.

This partnership between the US Embassy and the Ghana Armed Forces reflects the enduring security cooperation relationship between the United States and Ghana.

In her remarks, Ambassador Sullivan commented that “When it comes to peacekeeping, the Ghana Armed Forces are always at the ready.  Ghana’s soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women play a critical role in regional stability and continue to raise the standard for professionalism in the conduct of peacekeeping missions.  The US Embassy is proud to partner with the Ghana Armed Forces on this and many other endeavours.”

GPOI is a State Department-funded US government security assistance programme focused on strengthening the international capacity and capabilities of partner countries and regional organisations to execute United Nations and regional peace operations.  GPOI’s mission is to enhance partner countries’ self-sufficient peace operations proficiencies and build the capacity of the UN and regional organisations to conduct such missions.

“This outdooring today isproof of ourlongstanding partnership in security cooperation activities. For me, it’s personally gratifying to see how this relationship has grown from strength to strength over the past two decades plus,” she said.

Continuing, she added that “looking at all the development here atBundase Training Camp calls to mind the Akan proverb – ‘Obi nnimobremponahyease’, to wit‘Nobody knows the beginning of a great man.’I never could have guessed how far this training facility would have come since my last visit.I’m very impressed!”

Speaking about the equipment, she said “itprovides a critical asset for the Ghana Armed Forces to use to enhance the pre-deployment training ahead of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”

By A.R. Gomda

Tags: