A two-week training with their Ghanaian counterparts from the National Disaster Management Organization was finished today by an 18-person team from the U.S. state of North Dakota (NADMO).
The North Dakota National Guard and employees of the state's Department of Emergency Services participated in training sessions on catastrophe preparedness, particularly earthquake preparation.
Benin and Togo also sent observers from their national civil protection organisations, highlighting the significance of local responses to natural catastrophes.
The Coastal Boundary Fault and Akwapim Fault Zone connect as two of the area's most significant active fault lines.
"Our relationship with Ghana through NADMO and GAF is solid, long-lasting, and advantageous to both of our nations. While strengthening ties with our Ghanaian counterparts, I'm honoured to be here as North Dakota's representative.
He is the Director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services as well as the Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard.
The Lignite Coast 2022 Operation Shikpon Wosomo exercise increased NADMO and its partner organisations' capabilities to manage catastrophes and assure rapid reaction to future earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Traditional classroom instruction and planning were part of the training, along with a large-scale simulation exercise to assess local skills and pinpoint improvement areas.
Participating organisations from Ghana included the Volta River Authority, the National Ambulance Service, the Ghana Police Service, the National Communications Authority, the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces (48 Engineers Regiment).
Through the U.S. State Partnership Program, the North Dakota National Guard and its Ghanaian counterparts have been cooperating since 2004.
The State Partnership Program fosters cooperation between individual American states and international partners in support of American foreign policy objectives.
One facet of the United States' extensive security cooperation with Ghana is the North Dakota National Guard's partnership with the Ghana Armed Forces and NADMO.
U.S. and Ghanaian soldiers train together to be better prepared for the future through joint operations like African Lion, which is now taking place in Morocco and Ghana.
Today also marks the conclusion of cooperative training for military medical personnel from the United States and Ghana at Accra's 37 Military Hospital.