The government has deployed the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Engineering contingent to Jamaica to assist with repairs and reconstruction works following a devastating hurricane, Melissa, that swept through the country in October this year.
The 54 GAF soldiers from the 14 Engineering Regiment are expected to work alongside the Jamaican authorities and other international partners to rebuild critical infrastructure, including shelters, roads and public facilities.
The deployment in Accra yesterday formed part of the country’s commitment to regional cooperation and humanitarian assistance, as well as its solidarity with the Caribbean nation.
It was carried out in collaboration with the US government, which provided Ghana with a military cargo aircraft, C-17, to airlift the soldiers and their logistics to Kingston, Jamaica.
The event was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; the Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy, Rolf Olson; the Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe; the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General William Agyapong, and families of the contingent.
Rationale
President Mahama explained that the deployment reflected the country’s solidarity with the people of Jamaica and the shared history, values and bonds within the African-Caribbean family.
“This humanitarian assistance includes food aid, locally produced Ghanaian rice, blankets, mattresses, plastic buckets, medicines and other such accoutrements.
“Ghana has consistently stood for international solidarity, humanitarian assistance and global responsibility,” he said.
The President added that the government was also dispatching tents by sea to help provide temporary shelter.
He thanked President Donald Trump and the people of the US for making the mission possible by offering to provide an aircraft.
President Mahama also commended GAF for their professionalism, discipline and readiness to serve not only at home, but anywhere in the world when duty calls, describing the mission as a compassionate one.
For his part, Mr Ablakwa commended President Mahama for his decisive effort in shifting the foreign policy of the country from always receiving to sharing with others.
He said so far, the country had undertaken five humanitarian aid missions.
Support
The Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Ghana, Rolf Olson, explained that they decided to respond to the request to transport the engineering regiment to Jamaica because of their shared values of serving humanity.
“The US and Ghana have long worked together to advance peace, security and prosperity across Africa and beyond.
Today’s operation reflects the best of our collaboration, rapid response, technical expertise and a willingness to help those in need,” he said.
