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APS Returns to Ghana

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080303-16
Release Date: 3/3/2008 2:14:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Campbell, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

TEMA, Ghana (NNS) -- High Speed Vessel 2 Swift pulled into Tema, March 3, its fifth port visit as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS).

Among the many activities Sailors from Swift will be supporting during its time in port is a delivery of more than $1 million worth of medical supplies from Project Hope (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere), a private voluntary organization that is partnering with APS to provide medical education and outreach alongside military medical professionals.

Swift is not only delivering items from Project Hope, but will also serve as a venue for training between volunteer U.S. healthcare workers and healthcare workers in Ghana.

"APS is making it possible for Project Hope to deliver this great package of health care items," said Cmdr. Samuel Walker, APS's Ghanaian liaison officer and assistant plans officer for APS. "One of the things APS has in store for Ghana is to help improve the health care system. Together with the supplies and the training, I believe the healthcare system in Ghana will embrace it and make good use of this opportunity."

Project Hope's donation includes: Vaccines, medicines and medical supplies that will be received by Ghana's Ministry of Health, equipment for a dual-use military and civilian medical clinic currently being constructed by U.S. Navy Seabees and Ghanaian Army engineers in Tema, and medical supplies for the nearby Manhean Clinic, where Project Hope and military medical professionals will conduct many of their outreach activities.

Another APS partner will join Swift in Tema, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will utilize the ship for at-sea training for a regional audience of scientists and researchers.

"During this visit to Ghana, we will be building upon training that has already been established by NOAA," said Dr. Augustus Vogel, from the office of the Oceanographer of the Navy. "APS is creating an opportunity for [hands-on] training with global drifters and Argo floats. The drifters and Argo floats collect data and transmit them to a web-based database for oceanographic research and maritime awareness."

"I am very proud of what Swift is doing for APS, but more importantly what APS is doing for West and Central Africa," said Cmdr. Charles Rock, commanding officer of the Swift's (blue) crew. "With every port visit during this deployment we have been blown away by the warm reception we receive from countries in this region."

APS is a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-led initiative, executed by a multi-national staff aboard Swift and amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) designed to contribute to maritime security and safety in the region.

During its deployment, Swift is working with various government and non-government organizations to deliver humanitarian aid to African countries while serving as a platform for delivering a variety of training to military and non-military audiences.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -Commander, 6th Fleet or Africa Partnership Station, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.