The U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia E. Palmer has commissioned multiple projects to support maritime security.
She was joined by the Chief of Defense Staff and senior officers from the Ghana Navy, the Ghana Armed Forces, and Defense Ministry on Friday to visit the Ghana Navy Training Command (NAVTRAC) in Volta Region.
Six U.S.-funded projects at NAVTRAC and the surrounding area totalling more than $6 million will support Ghana’s maritime security capabilities.
These capabilities are especially important for protecting commercial activities, including shipping and fishing, in the Gulf of Guinea.
“Our $48 million in security assistance to the Ghana Armed Forces this year includes substantial support for the Ghana Navy. Piracy and illegal fishing in the Gulf of Guinea pose a persistent threat to Ghana’s security and economic development.
“Better protected shipping means more reliable supply chains for the region and greater shared prosperity,” said Ambassador Palmer during the visit.
The $6.4 million in U.S. funding is equipping the Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron (SBS) to expand its offshore capabilities while providing training and naval infrastructure projects at NAVTRAC, including:
Two 38-foot DEFENDER Class Safe Boats for the SBS along with a U.S. Marine Forces Africa Equipping Kit for the boats
Replacement of the NAVTRAC pontoon pier
Construction of a mobile training camp to allow SBS to train in diverse maritime environments
A persistent presence Engineering “Seabees” Detachment from U.S. Naval Forces Africa to complete naval infrastructure construction projects and provide technical support for Ghana Navy counterparts
Joint training, including a team of U.S. Special Operations Forces Africa Combat Divers who will visit NAVTRAC this week to train alongside SBS
And finally, a joint project to build new classroom space at the Nutekpor Basic School located near NAVTRAC
The United States and Ghana continue to work closely to address regional security concerns, train together, and share best practices.
This included supporting Ghana as host for FLINTLOCK 23 – U.S. AFRICOM’s large-scale, multinational military exercise, which had a historic first Maritime Special Operations Task Unit at NAVTRAC and the African Lion and Obangame Express exercises.
The Black Stars will open camp in Accra on Monday, November 11, 2024, to begin preparations for their final two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Otto Addo’s team will hold their first training session at the Accra Sports Stadium at 5:00 p.m. ahead of the matches against Angola and Niger.
Monday’s training session will be open to the media and fans, but Tuesday’s session will be held behind closed doors, according to the Ghana Football Association.
The team will travel to Luanda on Wednesday and hold their pre-match mandatory training at the Estádio 11 de Novembro.
The match against Angola will take place on Friday, November 15, in Luanda, before the Black Stars wrap up the qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium against Niger on Monday, November 18.
Ghana currently sits third in Group F with just two points from four games, and qualification is no longer in their hands.
The Black Stars must win their remaining matches and hope that Sudan, who have seven points, lose both of theirs in order to qualify.
As Ghana prepares for its upcoming 2024 elections, President Nana Akufo-Addo has issued a cautionary message to religious leaders regarding the increasing number of conflicting prophecies surrounding the electoral process. This warning comes at a time when prophetic support for various candidates is gaining visibility, notably for former President John Mahama.
One of the most prominent voices in this discourse is Prophet Clement, a respected spiritual leader known for his influential role in the community. Recently, Prophet Clement has made headlines by publicly declaring that he has received divine revelations affirming Mahama’s victory in the presidential race. He claims to have experienced visions of Mahama triumphing on ten distinct occasions.
In a recent public address, Prophet Clement shared his compelling visions, stating, “I have seen this several times. I saw Mahama’s face being painted with the Ghana map, and he was jubilating.” This vivid imagery has sparked discussions among citizens and political analysts alike, raising questions about the influence of spiritual insight on the electoral process.
The prophet has expressed a sense of divine mandate to pray for Mahama’s success and has indicated his readiness to support any candidate believed to be chosen by God. This endorsement comes at a critical juncture as President Akufo-Addo prepares to step down after two terms in office, following Ghanaian law that limits presidents to a maximum of two terms. This transition sets the stage for a highly competitive election as various candidates position themselves to fill the leadership void.
With the election date drawing near, anticipation is mounting across the nation. Ghanaians are encouraged to actively engage in political conversations that will shape the future of their country. As events unfold, the nation stands at a crossroads, and the outcomes of this electoral process are poised to influence Ghana’s political trajectory for years to come.
President Akufo-Addo’s warning serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between faith and politics in Ghana, urging both clergy and the public to approach the forthcoming elections with discernment and responsibility.
As prophetic backing for Mahama intensifies, many Ghanaians are closely monitoring the political landscape. The discussions surrounding Prophet Clement’s predictions have ignited both interest and debate within the electorate. Citizens are left to ponder the implications of these prophecies: Will Mahama’s candidacy align with the predictions of a certain victory, or could the election result in a surprising shift, bringing a different leader to the forefront?
Black Stars full-back Gideon Mensah has shared details about a potential transfer to FC Barcelona that fell through five years ago due to a breach of confidentiality. In 2019, while Mensah was with Red Bull Salzburg, he was offered a loan move to Barcelona as a backup for Jordi Alba.
However, news of the deal leaked, breaking the confidentiality agreement and ultimately leading to the transfer’s collapse a missed opportunity that Mensah recalls as deeply disappointing.Reflecting on the moment, Mensah said, “I couldn’t resist thinking about the next flight to Spain.
The next day, I saw the news everywhere in Ghana that Barcelona wanted me. So, I called my agent, asking him what happened to keeping it quiet.” His agent was also unaware of how the information got out, which led to the transfer unraveling.
Today, Mensah plays for French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre and has earned nearly 30 caps with the Ghanaian national team, the Black Stars.
