By Christiana Afua Nyarko
Accra, July 23, GNA – The United States has donated military equipment valued at about US$4 million to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to strengthen border security, maritime surveillance and counter-terrorism operations.
The consignment is expected to improve the operational capabilities of the GAF and intelligence services in areas including reconnaissance, communications and security operations.
The equipment was handed over at the Ghana Armed Forces Training School of the 48 Engineers Regiment at Teshie, Accra, where officials of the GAF and the United States Embassy in Ghana attended the ceremony.
The donation, comprising 84 pallets of equipment, included drones, radar systems, night vision devices, Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment, communications systems, medical supplies, protective gear, maritime surveillance equipment and intelligence training resources.
Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, Chief of the Naval Staff, who received the items on behalf of the Government, described the support as a “strategic investment” in Ghana’s security architecture.
He said the equipment would enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces, particularly in border security, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, maritime security and military training.
“The sophisticated equipment will not only boost our intelligence gathering efforts but also equip our troops and enhance training for the protection of our borders and maritime assets,” he said.
Rear Admiral Bessing said the equipment would support Ghana’s counter-terrorism and internal security operations as the West African region continued to face evolving security threats.
He assured the United States that the GAF would deploy the assets responsibly in protecting the country’s territorial integrity.
Mr Rolf Olson, Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Accra, said the donation formed part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s defence capabilities through a partnership based on shared democratic values and regional stability.
He said the equipment was selected to address specific operational needs of the Ghana Army, Ghana Navy and intelligence services.
Mr Olson said the Army component included medical equipment, protective gear, communications equipment, GPS devices, night vision goggles, unmanned aerial systems, radios and spare parts.
He said the Navy equipment would include radar systems, antennas, radios and monitoring displays to strengthen surveillance across the country’s maritime operations centres and support efforts against piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes.
Mr Olson said that the Special Boat Squadron would receive body armour and boarding equipment, while intelligence services would receive computers, tablets, an intelligence resource library and training materials.
“Security cooperation is never just about hardware. It is about countries coming together against shared threats, from transnational terrorism to maritime insecurity, and working side by side to build a safer West Africa and a safer world,” he said.
Mr Olson said the donation represented an investment in Ghana’s sovereignty, regional stability and the long-standing security partnership between Ghana and the United States.
The support forms part of the defence cooperation between the two countries, which includes military training, technical assistance, maritime security, humanitarian support and joint exercises.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Christians Afua Nyarko