Over the past month, British troops have been helping to train Ghanaian soldiers to counter threats from violent extremist organisations.
Soldiers from the British Army have been working with their Ghanaian Partner Force in Accra to deliver tactical and conceptual training in support of regional stability. The Ghanaian troops included the Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion and 69th Airborne Force, who currently provide a national security role in Ghana, and wish to expand their capabilities as an expeditionary Task Force.
A British Army Team Commander said: “As a training team, our overall role is partner-focused capacity building; to provide stability and protection against the emergence of future security threats. The aspiration is that by developing the skills, abilities and processes of one Partner Force, they will become a credible organisation through which capacity development can be passed on to neighbouring countries, having a greater overall effect within a particular region."
"Our relationship with the Partner Force is the keystone to our role; we must understand what they want us to do and why. Having that clear, empathetic approach and being personable gains trust, resulting in mission success”.
It’s been fantastic working alongside the Ghanaians. They are hungry to learn new things, are always wanting more and are always asking why. Training Junior NCO
COVID-19 measures were carefully implemented to ensure that quality training could still take place within a safe environment. Face coverings were worn inside buildings and outside when individuals were within 2m of each other. Additionally, all training staff and exercising troops conducted COVID antigen tests at the start of each week prior to training.
The 4-week training program focused on stability operations within an urban environment and included both tactical and conceptual components. Under the guidance of British Army mentors, the Ghanaian troops were split down into a command planning team and a tactical team. The planning team were tested on their use of the Combat Estimate planning process to solve a series of complex problems, with a focus on developing their capacity in planning urban security operations. The tactical team took part in progressive urban operations training including building entry, room clearance, ladder drills and urban platoon attacks.
A training Junior NCO reported: “It’s been fantastic working alongside the Ghanaians. They are hungry to learn new things, are always wanting more and are always asking why. The Ghanaian troops are a fantastic bunch of soldiers and it has been great to see the camaraderie and humour that they bring every day”.
During the final week training culminated in an exercise which encompassed a complicated counter-terrorism scenario. The planning team designed and coordinated a dawn raid, which was delivered to the tactical team for execution on the ground. The operation proved an effective way to showcase the skills and experience gained by the Ghanaian Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion and 69th Airborne Force under the British Army’s training package.