US provides over $1.2m to build Ghana Police marine academy

The United States is releasing an amount of $1.2 million for the construction of Ghana’s Marine Police Training Academy, the US Embassy announced March 26, 2013.

The new academy was as a result of two years of coordination between the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the US Force Protection Detachment in Ghana and the Ghana Police Service.

The academy will be located at Anyinase, in the Western Region where Ghana is producing oil in commercial quantities.

The US Deputy Chief of Mission, Pat Alsup together with the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, Minister of Interior, Kwesi Ahwoi and Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah broke ground to commence the construction of the academy.

In a statement, the Embassy said training provided in “this facility will help law enforcement officials hone their skills in various aspects of protecting Ghana’s coastline and encourage regional communication regarding international threats to maritime security.”

The unit will carry out and enforce Ghana’s maritime and environmental laws targeting illicit activities at sea, such as: piracy, illegal arms, narcotics and human trafficking, it adds.

The AFRICOM Counternarcotics and Law Enforcement Division has been instrumental in various similar projects throughout Ghana and Africa.

By Ekow Quandzie