The United States government has provided the Ghana Armed Forces with women’s body armor valued at over $1 million. The donation is intended to support and protect female military personnel participating in peacekeeping missions.
At a ceremony in Accra, Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson of the U.S. Embassy officially handed over the equipment to Major General Lawrence Gbentanu, Chief of Army Staff for the Ghana Armed Forces. The event focused on empowering female peacekeepers and highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
The donated protective gear is specifically designed for women serving in the military. This initiative aligns with efforts to enhance Ghana’s contributions to international peacekeeping operations.
“The high-quality gear Ghana has received will help protect its remarkable female peacekeepers as they work to ensure security, stability, and prosperity in West Africa, across the African continent, and around the world,” said Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson. “As soldiers stand on the front lines defending our nations, their personal protection is paramount. This equipment will safeguard Ghanaian soldiers, who, in turn, protect each and every one of us.”
The donation forms part of the Women’s Body Armor Quadrilateral Pilot Project. Launched in 2023 by Ghana, Zambia, the Netherlands, and the United States—and jointly funded by both Western governments—the project aims to improve safety and operational effectiveness for female troops from Ghana and Zambia involved in United Nations peacekeeping activities.
During his remarks at the ceremony, Olson also addressed a recent helicopter crash involving members of the Ghana Armed Forces: “The United States is grieving with and stands behind the people of Ghana and the Ghanaian Armed Forces during this time. Today’s donation of women’s body armor by the United States is representative of our friendship, symbolic of our shared pursuit of peace and fitting as a tribute to our late friends. In their memory, we will continue our walk together, building a stronger partnership between our two countries.”