A team of medical personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has showcased its expertise and resilience alongside counterparts from the United States, Italy, and Liberia at a prestigious multinational military medical competition in Italy.
The event, held at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza from January 5 to 15, was hosted by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and brought together 24 elite military medics for a rigorous test of physical endurance and technical skill under simulated combat conditions.
For the second consecutive year, Ghana fielded a joint four-member team representing the army, navy, and air force, a move officials say reflects the country’s deepening partnership with the United States, particularly in the realm of battlefield medical readiness and interoperability. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Ghana, Rolf Olson, commended Ghana’s continued participation, noting, “They are not just training for a competition; they are solidifying a partnership that saves lives.”
The competition unfolded in two phases: a knowledge-sharing segment and a high-intensity medical contest replicating the chaos of combat scenarios. Training modules included trauma care, chemical and radiological response, casualty management, and marksmanship, culminating in a demanding two-day challenge that assessed medics’ ability to operate effectively while under extreme physical and mental stress.
Ghana’s contingent delivered an impressive performance. Sgt. Cornelius Adagbe and Leading Seaman Ato Amonoo-Rockson secured third place overall, amassing 2,789 out of a possible 3,000 points. Amonoo-Rockson also earned the second-highest score in the U.S. Army Fitness Test, while Adagbe finished second in the grueling foot march event. Several Ghanaian medics, including Captain Emmanuel Oti-Boateng, were recognized for excellence in tactical combat casualty care and K-9 casualty care, underscoring the team’s all-around capabilities.
According to military officials, the event not only honed advanced trauma and delayed evacuation techniques but also fostered trust and cooperation among allied forces. “This competition is about building medical excellence for the fight today,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shanett Robinson. Organizers emphasized that such multinational exercises are vital for ensuring seamless integration during future crises, peacekeeping operations, or disaster relief missions—areas where Ghana’s medics are now proven partners.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
