BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota National Guard is partnering with the African country of Ghana.

The effort is part of the State Partnership Program, which was started by the National Guard in 1993 and now involves 42 states and 48 countries.

Guard officials said the partnerships involve such things as sister city projects, teacher exchanges, medical exchanges and military support.

"Our National Guard is playing a huge role in the global war on terrorism and our country's military effort to build alliances with other countries," said Maj. Gen. Michael Haugen, the state Guard commander. "North Dakota's partnership with Ghana will build these alliances."

The Guard said that Lt. Col. Pete Conlin will travel to Ghana over the next year to begin planning.