Ghana sends 54 troops to help rebuild Jamaica

Ghana has held a departure ceremony for 54 military personnel drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces’ 14 Engineer Brigade, Engineer Contingent 1, deploying them to support reconstruction efforts in Jamaica following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which left parts of the Caribbean in ruins.

The deployment fulfils a pledge made earlier by President John Dramani Mahama during the 62nd Independence Day celebration of Kenya, where he announced Ghana’s readiness to dispatch military engineers to assist Jamaica’s recovery efforts. The move reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to humanitarian assistance and practical solidarity with nations facing distress.

Jamaica was struck by the Category 5 hurricane on 28 October, with the storm cutting across Haiti, Cuba, and Jamaica. In Jamaica alone, the hurricane caused widespread destruction, particularly in the western parts of the country. According to estimates by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), about 32,500 people were displaced, more than 40 lives were lost, and economic losses across the affected countries are estimated at US$8.8 billion.

The impact on infrastructure was severe, with approximately 500,000 Jamaica Public Service customers disconnected from the national grid. Debris estimated at over 4.8 million tonnes blocked major roads and disrupted access to schools, hospitals, farms, and markets, significantly slowing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities.

At the departure ceremony, President Mahama described the deployed soldiers as ambassadors of Ghana, underscoring the technical and humanitarian responsibilities they will undertake in extending Ghana’s solidarity to the Caribbean nation. He reiterated Ghana’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Jamaica, particularly through people-to-people relations and diaspora engagement.

The contingent is expected to play critical roles in engineering works, reconstruction, technical and logistical support, and community-based assistance. The troops and their equipment were airlifted aboard a United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, a gesture for which President Mahama expressed deep appreciation.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, highlighted Ghana’s history of extending humanitarian support to countries affected by crises, including Palestine, Cuba, and Sudan, describing the deployment as consistent with Ghana’s foreign policy principle of solidarity with nations in need. He disclosed that Ghana’s assistance to Jamaica followed a formal request from the Jamaican Prime Minister, as international humanitarian support continues to flow into the country.

Commending the collaborative effort, the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Mr. Rolf Olson, praised the partnership between Ghana and the United States and reaffirmed continued U.S. support for Jamaica’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Source: Diplomatic Times