The United States government has donated women’s body armour and other personal protective equipment valued at over $1million to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to strengthen the safety and effectiveness of female soldiers in peacekeeping operations.
The U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Rolf Olson, said the high-quality gear would help protect Ghana’s female peacekeepers as they work to ensure security, stability, and prosperity in West Africa, across the continent, and around the world.
The handover ceremony took place on Wednesday in Accra at the forecourt of the Command Officers’ Mess, Burma Camp.
The move is part of efforts to empower women in uniform while reinforcing the defense and security partnership between Ghana and the United States.
“As soldiers stand on the front lines defending our nations, their personal protection is paramount. This equipment will safeguard Ghanaian soldiers, who, in turn, protect each and every one of us,” Mr Olson stated.
He also expressed condolences to the GAF following the recent helicopter crash that claimed the lives of several personnel, describing the donation as both a practical contribution and a symbolic tribute to the fallen soldiers.
The support forms part of the Women’s Body Armour Quadrilateral Pilot Project, launched in December 2023 by Ghana, Zambia, the Netherlands, and the United States. Jointly funded by the Netherlands and the U.S., the project is designed to enhance the safety of female military personnel in Ghana and Zambia by providing protective gear tailored to their needs.
Receiving the items, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, expressed appreciation to the U.S. government, describing the donation as timely and historic.
“This is the first time the Ghana Armed Forces are receiving protective equipment specifically designed for female personnel. It comes at a time when the responsibilities of our women in uniform are expanding rapidly, particularly in internal operations and peace support missions,” he said.
He added that the provision of body armour under the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) demonstrates the international community’s recognition of the contributions of female peacekeepers and further strengthens the long-standing cooperation between Ghana and the United States.
“Our female soldiers have consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, courage, and resilience in very complex and high-risk environments. This donation is not just about equipment but also a message that the safety and effectiveness of women in the military are critical to our operational advancement,” ” Maj. Gen. Gbentanu added.
He pledged the GAF’s readiness to put the equipment to its intended use while upholding the values of discipline, integrity, and professionalism that have defined its peacekeeping record
BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
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