US Marine College graduates call on Defence Minister

Accra, May 11, GNA - A five-member delegation from the US Marine War Corps College currently on a world study tour on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. J.H. Smith (Rtd) and the Chief of the Defence Staff, Major General Peter Blay at their respective offices.

The officers, who would be graduating in June 30, would have discussions with their Ghanaian counterparts at a seminar on peace and security situations in the sub-region later in the day. Dr Robert Mahoney, Dean of the College and the head of the delegation, said their visit was to exchange ideas and experiences with the Ghana military on security and peace keeping in general. He said Ghana was chosen as one of the countries to be visited because the country was now a shining story for Africa in terms of peace, security and democracy and congratulated the Military for their role in ensuring peace in the December elections.

Dr Mahoney said there were plans for the US Offshore Coast Guards to assist the Ghana Navy to patrol the coastline to prevent drug lords from using the coast for their illegal activities.

Lt. Gen. Smith said the Military had enjoyed a lot of support in terms of training and programmes from the US government, which had led to their splendid performance on peacekeeping missions and maintaining peace during and after Ghana's general elections. He said the programmes and training also enhanced the image of the military thereby promoting cordial relationship between the civilians and the military and commended the US government for establishing the War College to assist countries worldwide. Lt. Gen. Smith said aside their traditional role of peacekeeping the military had a very important role to play in the country's general elections.

Major General Peter Blay said the visit would enable the graduates to get exposure and learning experience from their colleagues in the visiting countries. He recalled the long history of cooperation between the Ghana Armed Forces and their counterparts in US and was grateful for the continued support.

The delegates leave on Tuesday to Berlin through to France. Earlier, 131 officers and men left on Monday for a six-month peacekeeping mission in Chad co-named "MINURCAT". The mission is part of Ghana government's agreement with the UN to contribute troops for peacekeeping. Sixty-seven member advance party under the command of Lt. Col. B. B. Owusu is already in Chad. In all, 800 officers and men would be serving in that mission.