US Defence Attache pays courtesy call on Lt Gen Blay

Lt. Col. Keith Blakely Defence Attaché of the United States on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Lt. Gen. Peter Augustine Blay, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in his office in Accra.

A press release issued to the Ghana News Agency in Accra by the office of the CDS on Thursday said the meeting afforded the Defence Attaché an opportunity to invite the CDS to host an impending exercise code-named “Exercise Western Accord 13” scheduled to take place at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre from 17th to 28th June 2013.

It said that Lt Col Blakely led a three-man delegation which included, Lt Col Michael Ries, from the African Command and Major John Vanstenburgh, Officer in Charge of Security Operations on the visit.

The release said Lt. Col. Blakely, in his remarks talked about the impending exercise and “delivered their request in respect of the exercise”.

It said Lt. Gen. Blay described the visit as an opportune one which could regenerate the association between Ghana and the United States.

“We are ready to provide partnership requirements and support,” the released quoted him as saying.

He called on Lt Col Blakely to use his office to assist in the early completion of works on the road leading from the main junction to the Bundase Training Camp.

Lt. Gen. Blay also requested for the provision of rifles for the Camp, a situation he described as a persistent problem, the release stated.