Africa Partnership Station, Ghanaian sailors team up for hospital restoration project

Photo By Chief Petty Officer David Holmes | Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Tansey (left), Chief Warrant Officer (middle) Eve McAnallen and Petty Officer 1st Class Jelloul Tenouri (right) cut tile during a refurbishment project at the Effia Nkwanta Hospital during Africa Partnership Station Nashville's visit to the West African country. The amphibious transport dock landing ship USS Nashville is deployed as part of Africa Partnership Station, an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Africa, that works cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security for the continent of Africa.  

SEKONDI, GHANA

03.08.2009

Story by Seaman Matthew Bookwalter 

U.S. Navy           

SEKONDI, Ghana – Since Feb. 21, Africa Partnership Station Nashville Sailors have been working alongside Ghanaian sailors to refurbish a wing of the Effia Nkwanta Hospital, for a community relations project which will continue through USS Nashville's 18-day port visit.

More than 30 Sailors have taken part in the COMREL so far, which has seen Sailors nearly reconstruct the hospital wing. Before that reconstruction of the wing could be started, an extensive cleaning and clearing was needed.

"When I first walked in, it looked like the building had been abandoned for quite a long time," said Petty Officer 1st Class William Herin. "We only had to barely touch the walls for the paint to fall off."

Before the wing was completed, the walls were re-painted, the floor re-tiled and new windows were put in, but that is not the only thing being built on the site, according to Petty Officer 1st Class Michael McFarland.

"When you are out working, rebuilding something, it gives you a sense of accomplishment that you have done something good," he said. "Friendships are being made, and more importantly, we are creating a trust bond within the ranks of two nations that can be really important on future missions."

Stronger partnership was not the only accomplishment of the day. The people of Sekondi have a newly refurbished hospital wing for sick patients.

"It's good to be helping this part of town because they need the help," said Ghanaian leading Seaman Kofi Haizel. "They will put the new building to good use."

Nashville is currently deployed with APS. APS is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to improve maritime safety and security on the African continent. Nashville is focused on supporting the APS strategy in West and Central Africa.

To learn more about Africa Partnership Station and its mission, visit the APS website at www.c6f.navy.mil/aps_web/index.htm.

• Date Taken: 03.08.2009
• Date Posted: 03.08.2009 09:02
• Story ID: 30868
• Location: SEKONDI, GH