US Marines Join Ghanaian Soldiers To Build Library Block

Ten Marine officers, aboard the United States Naval Vessel, HSV 2 Swift, last Wednesday joined 40 other soldiers from the 66th Artillery Regiment in Ho, to work on a library project for schools at Mafi-Anfoe in the North-Tongu District in the Volta Region.

The visit to Ghana was part of a US-African Partnership Initiative, under which the US military gives functional help to promote development of African countries.

The team, alongside members of the community and school pupils laid blocks and fixed doorframes to bring the building to the lintel level.

Major Mathews M. Battison, US European Command Military Attaché at the US Embassy in Ghana initiated the project. He was made the Development Chief of the area last August, under the stool name Togbe Dunenyo.

He said the projects, partly supported by friends, were progressing steadily because of the communal spirit of the people.

Lieutenant Commander Rob Brodie, Second in Command of the Vessel said the Sailors were in Mafi-Anfoe to demonstrate the US Military's commitment to the partnership with the community.

Lieutenant Richard Cobba-Eshun, leading the 66 Artillery Regiment team, said the project, estimated at GH¢ 54,000, was part of the Regiment's corporate social programme to mark its 42nd anniversary celebrations.

He said the project, which comprised a main library hall, a computer room, two offices and lavatories would be completed by July this year.

Mr Moore Zonyrah, Managing Director of Sik Sons Limited, a Construction Firm which is giving free technical advice said the community was providing labour, sand, chippings among other things to show commitment to the project.

Besides the library project, the 66th Artillery Regiment has undertaken clean-ups at the Ho Municipal Hospital, blood donation by soldiers to the Volta Regional Hospital Blood Bank and support for a community water project at Kpenoe, near Ho.

Mr Joe Gidisu, Member of Parliament for the area said the support by the US to build the library was an important contribution to raising educational performance in the area.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister asked the people to appreciate US efforts by helping to complete the projects early.

He promised that the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) would collaborate with all stakeholders for the successful completion of the projects.