US assures Africa of continuous partnership
The United States of America (USA) will continue to partner African countries on matters of security, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Stephanie Sullivan, has stated.
She said the US would also support efforts to increase trade and promote good governance across Africa.
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Ms Sullivan gave the assurance at a reception held at the Tema Port in the Greater Accra Region where a US naval vessel, the USNS Carson City, made its maiden call under a US-Africa Partnership Station (APS) programme.
According to her, the US valued such partnerships, which she said were mutually beneficial.
She said the protection of the freedom and safety of maritime trade contributed to stability and economic prosperity and further underpinned efforts to strengthen democracy to deliver services to the people.
“The United States considers it a priority to partner nations which share our values to advance security under the guiding principles of human rights, transparency and accountability,” Ms Sullivan added.
Navy ship
The vessel, which is in deployment to the Gulf of Guinea as part of the partnership project, is aimed at increasing maritime awareness, structure and response capabilities to combat threats.
The aluminium vessel, measuring 103 metres (338 feet) long, can travel at a range of 1,200 nautical miles.
It provided small boat maintenance assistance, maritime law enforcement engagement and medical and community relations outreach for countries such as Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Cape Verde.
The crew also conducted maintenance engagements and carried out assessments and workshops on best practices, among other activities, at the Western Naval Base in Sekondi, where the vessel previously docked before making its way to the Tema Port.
Maritime partnerships
Ms Sullivan said as part of the US maritime security partnership, beneficiary African countries were trained on how to combat piracy and other illicit maritime activities that threatened the peace and development of those countries.
She mentioned emerging security challenges such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and violent extremism as some of the threats that would test the partnership agreements, adding: “But I am confident that we are collectively up to the task.”
“Beyond our cooperation on the sea, it is worth noting that Ghana’s Armed Forces have also trained US military members in jungle warfare, which demonstrates that we learn from each other and also value each other’s military professionalism and expertise,” she added.
She commended Ghana for the show of leadership and hospitality in hosting the Obangame Express regional maritime exercise.
Appreciation
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major Derrick Oduro (retd), expressed appreciation to the US for its continued assistance to the Ghana Armed Forces.
He said maritime security and safety had become a major focus for many nations owing to the importance of the oceans to the global economy.
“In Ghana, our goal is to have an efficient naval force that will be up to the task and also work towards the protection of our territorial waters,” he added.