US Donates $1m Women’s Body Armour to Boost Ghana’s Peacekeeping Missions

The United States government has donated women’s body armour worth over $1 million to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), reaffirming its commitment to strengthening women’s participation in peacekeeping operations.

The equipment, specifically designed for female soldiers, was officially handed over by US Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson to the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Gbentanu, at a ceremony that underscored the role of women in global security.

Olson described the donation as a vital contribution to safeguarding Ghana’s female peacekeepers, who continue to play an instrumental role in international peacekeeping missions.

“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,” he said. “As soldiers stand on the front lines defending our nations, their protection is paramount. This equipment will safeguard Ghanaian soldiers, who, in turn, protect each one of us.”

The donation forms part of the Women’s Body Armour Quadrilateral Pilot Project, launched in 2023 by Ghana, Zambia, the Netherlands, and the United States. Jointly funded by the Netherlands and the US, the initiative seeks to improve the safety and operational effectiveness of female peacekeepers in Ghana and Zambia, enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Olson also expressed sympathy following the recent GAF helicopter crash, pledging US solidarity with Ghana during the difficult period.

“Today’s donation is representative of our friendship, symbolic of our shared pursuit of peace, and a fitting tribute to our late friends. In their memory, we will continue our walk together, building a stronger partnership between our two countries,” he added.