Nutekpor, Ghana. (January 19, 2025): The Navy’s 22nd Construction Regiment has been busy improving the lives of children living in the tiny village of Galotse in this West African nation. In this photo by Chief Petty Officer Justin Stumberg, Senior Chief Gabriel Miller, Builder 2nd Class Matthew Santini, and Lieutenant Joseph Beasley inspect a new three-room schoolhouse, just one of many of their civil engineering projects this year.
Ghana is one of the poorest countries in the world with twenty four percent of its population, or about 6.9 million people, living on less than $2.15 a day. This is particularly true in rural villages where eighty percent of poverty is concentrated. According to the U.N. Human Development Index, Ghana is ranked 140 out of 189 poorest countries in the world.
Despite its economic troubles, Ghana is a stable, democratic country with a free press, an active civil society, and an independent judiciary. The country has been a strong military partner for the U.S., hosting military annual exercises like African Lion and the upcoming African Land Forces Summit. In addition to military exercises, the U.S. and Ghanaian militaries have a long history of cooperation in civil engineering projects and humanitarian relief.
American relief efforts include donated medical supplies like N95 masks, hospital gowns, and disinfectant for medical clinics in Ghana. U.S. military surgeons also perform procedures for local civilians at no charge. Each year, a workshop is held in the Capitol between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the Ghanaian military on future humanitarian projects.
According to the USAID, America remains the largest bilateral donor to Ghana, providing over $140 million in assistance last year. The U.S. will continue to work to improve food security, increase economic growth, and support sustainable natural resource management for this reliable ally.