US, Ghana security forces to hold joint readiness exercise to fight terrorism
The United States and Ghana will on April 26, 2016, launch an eight-day joint readiness exercise known as Epic Guardian, designed to increase the effectiveness of security forces in dealing with international threats like terrorism and trafficking.
According to the United States embassy in Accra, the exercise which will take place on Ghanaian military premises, will involve personnel from the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces, and units from United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA).
The American embassy said that Epic Guardian is a regularly scheduled training exercise held in Africa; previous exercises have been held in Malawi, Cameroon, Djibouti and the Seychelles and a similar exercise will be held by the US and Cape Verde.
The training is expected to increase Ghana’s capacity in areas such as communications, logistics, intelligence gathering and analysis, crisis planning and response, and inter-operability – all with the goal of providing for greater security and stability for Ghana and the region.
“The U.S. government has been working directly with the government of Ghana to plan Epic Guardian 2016.”
“The training will involve personnel reacting to a simulated crisis and will cover a broad range of topics, including theatre strategic planning, intermediate support, logistics, intelligence, and strategic communications among others. Training will consist of staff crisis action planning, deployment of forces, completion of field exercises, and redeployment of forces,” the American embassy said in a statement
“International threats require international solutions. Epic Guardian is an opportunity to strengthen our bilateral relationship and to demonstrate our long-term commitment to supporting Ghana as it works to counter international threats and ensure stability and security for Ghanaians,” Robert Jackson, the US Ambassador to Ghana said.
The U.S. government reiterated its commitment to supporting partner nations and regional allies in Africa and noted that Ghana has previously hosted many joint and multilateral exercises, including Western Accord 13 and Obangame Express 2015.
“Security cooperation is a vital part of the U.S.–Ghana partnership. We thank the government of Ghana for its ongoing cooperation to help increase regional security and we will continue to work together with African partners to promote stability on the African continent,” Robert Jackson said.
By Emmanuel Odonkor