The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has described the government’s decision to deploy 54 army engineers and five medical doctors to Jamaica as a reflection of Ghana’s commitment to humanitarian calls.
The government also donated GH₵10 million worth of relief items to support the disaster-hit country.
Updating Parliament on the government’s decision to deploy Ghanaian soldiers and the provision of aid to Jamaica, Mr Ablakwa said as a responsible and compassionate actor on the international stage, those humanitarian gestures were deliberate expressions of Ghana's diplomatic identity and values.
“In a global environment marked by increasing humanitarian needs and diminishing international attention, Ghana's actions carry significant moral and diplomatic weight,” he said.
The minister appeared before the House to give the briefing following a request by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for him to brief the House on the reasons behind such a decision.
He had accused the government of bypassing Parliament in key decisions relating to the country’s international aid and troop deployments, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Mr Ablakwa explained that the deployment signalled Ghana's refusal to be indifferent to suffering and its determination to remain a responsible and compassionate actor on the international stage.
“Such actions also serve to strengthen our bilateral relations, reinforce mutual trust and enhance Ghana's standing within multilateral fora.”
“By aligning humanitarian assistance with diplomatic engagement, Ghana demonstrates its foreign policy is both principled and pragmatic and it is rooted in values of empathy, solidarity, brotherhood and compassion while being attentive to global realities,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa said the troops were drawn from the 48th Engineers Regiment and affiliated units and would assist with the construction and recovery efforts in Jamaica.
He said the mission's mandate also included the assessment and repair of damaged public infrastructure, emergency restoration of critical access routes, stabilisation works in landslide-prone locations and support shelter reconstruction.
“The medical doctors will provide medical capacity in coordination with Jamaican health authorities and humanitarian health partners including primary care, emergency treatment and public health interventions to mitigate disease risks among displaced and affected populations,” he said.
Responsible nation
Mr Ablakwa said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to work towards strengthening Ghana's capacity for timely humanitarian response, deepening partnerships with international and regional actors and ensuring that “solidarity remained a defining feature of our foreign policy”.
He explained that Ghana's humanitarian assistance since January 7, 2025 reflected “who we are as a nation-principle, humane, caring and responsible”.
He said in extending support to Palestine, Cuba, Jamaica and Sudan, Ghana had reaffirmed its belief that solidarity was not optional and that empathy was an essential instrument of diplomacy.
“Ghana's foreign policy will be defined by not how much we can take from others but how much we can share with others,” he said.
Appreciation to US gov’t
The minister expressed the government’s gratitude to President Donald Trump, the government and the people of the United States of America for providing the C-17 special aircraft to transport Ghana’s troops, medical staff and logistics, which included tents, refrigerators, generators and rations to Kingston.
“This is yet another demonstration of the great relations between Ghana and the United States of America,” he said.
