The Ghana Navy will receive two naval vessels from the United States as part of a joint effort between the Ghana Armed Forces and the U.S military to further boost relations between them.
The vessels, which are expected to arrive in two months, will be used to safeguard Ghana's fishing zone against poaching, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Defence Minister-designate told reporters on Thursday after he joined President John Agyekum Kufuor to receive U.S. Army Director of Operations, Major General Roderick Isler.
Gen. Isler, who is on a two-day visit, was at the State House to discuss "military-to-military relations" with the government. He is the first military flag officer to visit Ghana since the changes in administration in Ghana and the U.S. Dr Addo-Kufuor did not elaborate on the specific terms under which the vessels were being acquired but said it was part of the co-operation between the two countries.
He said the meeting also discussed a proposal for America to assist Ghanaian peacekeeping troops to be sent to troubled Sierra Leone, as well as continued manpower training for Ghanaian soldiers. He spoke about relations between the two countries over the years, particularly their military institutions, saying they have been very fruitful, citing joint exercises and visits by senior U.S military officers.
At the discussions were Foreign Minister-designate, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman and American Ambassador Kathryn Dee Robinson. A USIS release on the visit of Gen Isler said the Embassy is planning additional visits in the coming years and looks forward to building even stronger U.S-Ghana military relations.
It said America is pleased with the smooth transition of power in Ghana and wants to support the new administration "as it demonstrates that democracy can and does work in Africa."
