Accra, Feb. 1, GNA - The US Ambassador in Ghana, Ms Mary Yates on Tuesday handed over equipment and stores to the Ghana Armed Forces under the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) Programme.

The shipment consisted of uniforms, tents, radios, water purification units, administrative supplies and battalion bath units and field kitchens, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Ghana.

The statement said the ACOTA Programme a partnership between Ghana and the US had enhanced the capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces to respond to peace support and humanitarian relief operations. It said the Programme was a continuation of the US-Ghanaian Military partnership that began with the African Crisis Response Initiative in 1998.

Under the Programme, the US has financed training and supplied equipment estimated at more than 3.4 million dollars to the Ghana Armed Forces since 2003.

The training capabilities and equipment provided through the Programme had assisted the Ghana Armed Forces in training peacekeeping contingents to support UN operations in Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Lebanon, Sierra Leone and C=F4te d'Ivoire, the statement said. Ms Yates said: "I am confident that these items will make life a bit more comfortable for the brave men and women of the Ghana Armed Forces who do so much to help bring peace and stability to troubled states."