US Sailors join Ghanaian soldiers to build library block

Mafi-Anfoe, (V/R), April 10, GNA-Ten Marines, aboard the United States Naval Vessel, HSV 2 Swift, on Wednesday joined 40 other soldiers from the 66th Artillery Regiment in Ho, to work on a library project for schools at Mafi-Anfoe in the North-Tongu District. HSV 2 Swift, based in the US, berthed at the Tema Port on Tuesday on a visit to Ghana as part of a US-African Partnership Initiative, under which the US military gives functional help to promote development of African countries. The soldiers alongside members of the community and school pupils laid blocks and fixed doorframes to bring the building to the lintel level. Major Mathews M. Battison, United States European Command Military Attach=E9 at the US Embassy in Ghana initiated the project. He was installed Development Chief of the area last August.

Lt. Commander Rob Brodie, Second in Command of the Vessel said the Sailors were in Mafi-Anfoe to demonstrate the US Military's commitment to the partnership with the community. Lt. Richard Cobba-Eshun, leading the 66 Artillery Regiment team, said the project, estimated at GH¢ 54,000, was part of the Regiment's corporate social programme to mark its 42nd anniversary celebrations. He said the project, which comprised a main library hall, a computer room, two officers and lavatories would be completed by July this year. Mr. Moore Zonyrah, Managing Director of Sik Sons Limited, a Construction Firm, which is giving technical advice free of charge said the community was providing labour, sand, chippings among others materials to show commitment to the project. With the troops at work were Lt.-Colonel Emmanuel Kotia, Commander of the 66th Artillery Regiment and Lt.-Commander Stacey Sutton, Marine Assistance Officer at the US Embassy in Ghana.

Besides the library project, the 66th Artillery Regiment has laid out cleanups at the Ho Municipal Hospital, blood donation by soldiers to the Volta Regional Hospital Blood Bank and support for a community water project at Kpenoe, near Ho to crystallize the regiment's excellent ties with their civilian neighbours and institutions.