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COAS Receives US-Donated Women’s Body Armour, Miltary Personal Protective Equipment

• 20 Aug
• Admin

The Chief of the Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, has received some US-donated women’s body armour and Military Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, at the forecourt of the Command Officers’ Mess, Burma Camp.

The donation was made under the auspices of the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy, His Excellency Mr Rolf Olson. Valued at over $1 million, the donation is part of the Women's Body Armour Quadrilateral Pilot Project, a collaborative initiative launched in 2023 by the Governments of Ghana, Zambia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The project aims to enhance the safety and operational effectiveness of female military personnel in Ghana and Zambia.

In his remarks, Mr Olson emphasized that the donation reflects a joint US and Netherlands effort to improve the safety of women peacekeepers from Ghana and Zambia. He highlighted that the PPE is designed to provide maximum protection, comfort, and usability under challenging conditions, recognizing that female soldiers require equipment tailored to their needs. He also noted that the US has provided training to Ghanaian soldiers to ensure effective use and maintenance of the equipment, reinforcing the link between security, prosperity, and development.

Mr Olson praised Ghana’s distinguished track record in international peacekeeping and its vital role in global security, pointing to recent recognitions of Ghanaian peacekeepers and ongoing US-Ghana military collaborations. Expressing gratitude for the partnership in peace, he underscored that the donation symbolizes the enduring friendship and joint commitment to peace between the United States and Ghana, aimed at ensuring regional and global security. Additionally, he reaffirmed US diplomatic efforts to support peace accords in Africa, emphasizing their shared goals of peace and stability on the continent.

Mr Olson further expressed condolences over the recent helicopter crash involving members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), stating that the US stands in solidarity with Ghana during this difficult period. He affirmed that, in the memory of those lost, the partnership between both countries would continue to grow stronger.

 On behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, the Military High Command, and the entire Ghana Armed Forces, Major General Gbetanu conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of the United States for the noble and timely donation of women’s body armour and PPE.

He emphasized that this is the first time such a donation has been made and comes at a crucial time when the roles and responsibilities of women in uniform are rapidly expanding, particularly in internal operations and peace support missions worldwide.

Major General Gbetanu noted that female soldiers have consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, courage, and resilience in complex, harsh, and high-risk environments. The handover, he said, is not just about equipment; it sends a strong message that the safety and operational effectiveness of women in the military are critical to force protection.

He further acknowledged that the international community, led by partners like the United States, continues to recognize the crucial contributions of female peacekeepers to global stability. The provision of this body armour, part of a broader global peace operations initiative, represents another milestone in the longstanding and fruitful collaboration between the US and the Ghana Armed Forces.

The COAS assured that this support will directly enhance preparedness, operational capability, and above all, the protection of troops, especially female personnel, as they undertake vital peacekeeping missions on behalf of the international community.

Major General Gbetanu reaffirmed the Ghana Armed Forces’ commitment to professionalism, gender inclusivity, and peacekeeping excellence, which cannot be achieved in isolation but require strong partnerships, shared responsibilities, and mutual respect. He thanked the US Embassy and the wider American defense and diplomatic community for their thoughtful and purposeful contribution, assuring them that, with continued trust and collaboration, more peace and security would be realized.

He pledged to use the equipment as intended and to uphold the high standards of discipline, professionalism, and integrity that define the Ghana Armed Forces at home and abroad.