For years, female members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) had to wear body armor designed for men. This put them at a disadvantage, sometimes during combat, as the gear did not offer full protection.
The GAF on August 20 received $1 million worth of women’s body armor from the United States government. Ghanaian Chief of Army Staff Maj. Gen. Lawrence Gbetanu expressed gratitude for the donation, as the roles and responsibilities of Ghana’s female Soldiers are expanding.
“Our women have had to make do with protective gear that did not conform to their physiology,” Gbetanu said in a Modern Ghana report. “Yet they never relented in carrying out their duties. This support, therefore, sends a strong signal that their sacrifices are recognized, and their operational effectiveness matters just as much as that of their male colleagues.”
The donation was part of the Women’s Body Armor Quadrilateral Pilot Project, an initiative launched in 2023 by Ghana, the Netherlands, the U.S. and Zambia. Rolf Olson, chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, said the U.S. develops and tests body armor and other personal protective gear for female Soldiers that maximizes comfort and protection.
“Every day, Ghanaian peacekeepers serve on the frontlines of global security, often in places far from home, where danger and uncertainty are part of daily life,” Olson said in the Modern Ghana report. “This donation is not just about equipment, it is about ensuring that every soldier, regardless of gender, has the protection they deserve, while serving humanity. Women bring unique perspectives and skills to peacekeeping, and when they are fully equipped, the missions become stronger and more effective.”
The U.S. has trained more than 40 Ghanaian Soldiers to properly wear and take care of the gear. More training is expected.
During the body armor handover ceremony, Olson praised Ghana’s track record in international peacekeeping and its role in global security. Ghana is among the top 10 troop-contributing countries to United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping missions and has deployed about 100,000 people to more than 35 missions since the 1960s.
“Ghana is known around the world for keeping the peace and stepping up when it matters,” Olson said. “Whether it is peace missions, border patrol, or disaster response, I have seen the Ghana Armed Forces’ professionalism and dedication. The GAF’s strong reputation as a fearless fighting force is yet another reason to be proud of this great country’s contributions to world security.”
Olson also noted that two female Ghanaian peacekeepers, Capt. Cecilia Erzuah and
Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme, had earned top U.N. military honors for their work as part of the U.N. Interim Security Force for Abyei.
