Ghanaian Military Engineers and Doctors Arrive in Jamaica to Assist in Hurricane Recovery

Jamaica has received a contingent of military engineers and medical professionals from the Republic of Ghana to assist with ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in late October. The team, 54 in total, comprising 49 army engineers and five medical doctors, arrived on the island on December 18.

The group was welcomed at Norman Manley International Airport, where Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Ghana for their support. She said the deployment reflected the strength of the relationship between the two countries, which predates formal diplomatic ties established in 1968.

Johnson Smith noted that the assistance followed a direct request from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, which was promptly answered by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, after discussions held only weeks earlier. She described the response as timely and meaningful, given the scale of damage caused by the storm.

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Leading the visiting team, Colonel Emanuel Asia said the contingent was eager to begin work and viewed the mission as an opportunity to deepen long-standing ties. He referenced the historical relationship between the two nations, dating back to the era of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, and said the team was committed to working in solidarity with Jamaicans.

The Ghanaian personnel will operate alongside the Jamaica Defence Force, specifically the 1 Engineer Regiment, focusing on construction and rehabilitation tasks in affected areas. Their deployment marks the latest international military support to assist Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery.

In addition to personnel, Ghana also sent relief supplies, transported with the assistance of United States military airlift. Since the team’s arrival, the JDF has shared images and videos online showing the reception of the contingent and the materials brought to the island. Members of the United States Air Force were also present during the arrival.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, leaving widespread damage across the country and prompting international assistance as recovery efforts continue almost 2 months later.