PRESIDENT MAHAMA DEPLOYS GHANA ARMED FORCES ENGINEERS ON CRITICAL HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO JAMAICA
Ghanaian Troops Embark on Non-Combat Reconstruction Mission Following Direct Request from Jamaican Prime Minister After Hurricane Melissa
President John Mahama has deployed a contingent of soldiers from the 48th Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces to Jamaica on a vital humanitarian mission to assist with reconstruction following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The troops were formally sent off at a military parade addressed by the President, who framed the mission as a solemn national duty and a reflection of Ghana’s deep commitment to international solidarity within the African-Caribbean community.
Addressing the soldiers, President Mahama underscored the principles guiding the deployment. “This deployment reflects Ghana’s solidarity with the people of Jamaica and our shared history, values, and bonds within the African-Caribbean family,” the President stated. He positioned the mission as a continuation of Ghana’s foreign policy commitment to humanitarian response and South-South cooperation.
The President revealed that the decision to deploy engineering specialists followed direct diplomatic discussions with Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness. After Ghana dispatched an initial batch of humanitarian assistance including locally produced rice, blankets, medicines, and other critical supplies, Prime Minister Holness identified an urgent need for expertise in rebuilding infrastructure and shelter for displaced citizens.
“I offered to send a regiment of our engineering corps to help with the assistance,” President Mahama said, detailing the operational genesis of the mission.
President Mahama explicitly clarified the nature of the assignment, distinguishing it from combat operations. “This mission is not a combat mission. It is a mission of compassion, skill, and service,” he affirmed. He commended the Ghana Armed Forces for their professionalism and readiness to serve both at home and abroad whenever duty calls.
The deployment leverages the specialized skills of the army’s engineering corps for disaster recovery, aiming to provide practical, on the-ground support in rebuilding communities shattered by the hurricane.
The President contextualized Ghana’s response within its own historical experience and its established role as a provider of international aid. “Our nation understands the pain of natural disasters and the long road to recovery,” he noted, adding that the mission reinforces Ghana’s active role in global humanitarian efforts.
This initiative follows other recent Ghanaian international relief actions, including the provision of aid to Cuba and Sudan, demonstrating a consistent foreign policy of offering tangible support to nations in crisis.
The deployment of the 48th Engineers Regiment marks a significant operational commitment, moving beyond the shipment of supplies to the provision of skilled personnel for long-term recovery, cementing Ghana’s reputation as a reliable partner in international disaster response.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
