2 Weeks Flintlock and African Lion exercises comprising Special Forces from 36 Countries from 5 continents comes to an end in Tamale

The United States, Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Virginia Evelyn Palmer has reiterated her country’s commitment to ensuring security the Africa Region. Of particular interest, the Ambassador said, is the US’ commitment to collaborating and partnering with countries such as Ghana in addressing violent extremists threats from the Sahel.

Madam Palmer stated this in Tamale at a Distinguished Visitor’s Day and Closing Ceremony at the Air force Base, Tamale, where the exercises; Flintlock and African Lion had simultaneously taken place in Ghana.

The two week exercises organized by the United States Army under the US Special Operations Command- Africa (AFRICOM), co-hosted by the Ghana and Ivory Coast involved Special Forces from 36 countries spread over five continents.

According to Ambassador Palmer in addition to the annual USD 28.million from the US Government to Ghana to addressing human security needs – which is a layer for development assistance, other efforts to strengthening military capacities and collaborations were necessities to ensuring adequate security and well-beng in the country and the littoral regions.

“The region has witnessed a dramatic increase in the strength and influence of violent extremists groups. Threats to civilians, reports of human rights abuses and violations, and levels of displacements and humanitarian needs are all on the rise,” she remarked.

Ambassador Palmer Africa said the deployment and mobilization of conventional forces to counter shared threats under; is therefore worth pursuing.

“African Lion and Flintlock are both symbols of how important Africa is to the United States and especially for Ghana as a security partner,” the Ambassador stated.

Major General, Bismarck Onwona, Chief of Army Staff, Ghana Armed Forces, commended the partnership explaining “this has created an opportunity to train and exercise in areas pertinent to the collective fight against threats of violent extremists which becoming contemporary in nature.”

For his part, Lieutenant General John Brennan Jr. Deputy Commander of USAFRICOM said Flintlock is a long-running multinational effort dating back to 2005.

“FLINTLOCK is an annual special forces exercise, designed to test the operational readiness of special operations forces (SOF) community of participating countries as we collectively seek to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremism organizations.”

Flintlock collaborates across borders and provides security for the people while respecting human rights and building security for their populations.

Earlier, the partner forces that took part the two simultaneous exercises- Flintlock and Africa Lion demonstrated air and ground operations to countering violent extremists which won the admiration of the distinguished visitors and other spectators at the Tamale Air Force Base.

Story By: Nyadror Adanuti Nelson |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana.