The Government of Ghana has dispatched a team of military engineers from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to Jamaica to assist with recovery efforts after the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The contingent, made up of 54 personnel from the 14 Engineer Regiment, will collaborate with Jamaican authorities and international partners to repair and rebuild essential infrastructure such as shelters, roads and public facilities.
The mission underscores Ghana’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, regional cooperation and solidarity with Caribbean countries affected by natural disasters.
The deployment, undertaken in partnership with the United States government, was supported by a US Air Force C-17 military cargo aircraft, which airlifted the troops and their equipment to Kingston, Jamaica.
Ahead of the mission, a brief send-off parade was held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. President John Dramani Mahama attended the ceremony alongside the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy, Rolf Olson; the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe; the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen William Agyapong; and family members of the deployed soldiers.
Addressing the gathering in Accra, President Mahama said the deployment demonstrated Ghana’s solidarity with Jamaica and reflected the shared history, values and bonds within the African-Caribbean family.
He noted that, following the hurricane, Ghana had also extended humanitarian assistance to Jamaica and Cuba, as well as to displaced persons in Sudan.
“This humanitarian assistance included food aid, locally produced Ghanaian rice, blankets, mattresses, plastic buckets, medicines, and other such accoutrements. Ghana has consistently stood for international solidarity, humanitarian assistance, and global responsibility,” he said.
The President added that Ghana’s own experience with natural disasters informed its decision to help, stressing that recovery is often long and painful.
He disclosed that tents were also being sent by sea to provide temporary shelter, while the deployed troops support reconstruction efforts and affected communities in Jamaica.
Mahama expressed appreciation to President Donald Trump and the people of the United States for facilitating the mission through airlift support.
“So, today we have this C-17 aircraft that is going to lift the troops from Accra to Kingston with their supplies to provide the support and succour for the people of Jamaica. I wish to thank our friendly brothers and sisters of the United States of America again,” he said.
He further praised the Ghana Armed Forces for their professionalism, discipline and readiness to serve both domestically and internationally, emphasising that the assignment was a humanitarian, not combat, mission focused on compassion, expertise and service.
