A group of 40 personnel from the Ghana Army’s 15 Armoured Brigade and the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps have successfully completed a four-week orientation training focused on the operation and maintenance of the newly acquired Puma M36 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Armoured Personnel Carriers.
The intensive training, which ended on Friday, May 2, 2025, was held at the headquarters of the 153 Armoured Regiment at Burma Camp, Accra. It was facilitated by Virginia-based defence contractor AMENTUM and coordinated through the Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana.
The closing ceremony was graced by Brigadier General Gah, Commander of the 15 Armoured Brigade, who served as the guest of honour. He praised the participants for their dedication and urged them to replicate the training across the ranks.
The training curriculum included both theoretical and practical sessions covering a wide range of topics: vehicle identification, interior and exterior component familiarisation, operational instructions, safety procedures, turret and gun port handling, and field driving across various terrains such as sand, mud, and rocky inclines.
Participants also underwent practical lessons on how to service and maintain the Puma M36 MK 6-275 4×4, culminating in a field training exercise to consolidate their knowledge.
Lieutenant Colonel David Kwesi Korsah, Commanding Officer of the 153 Armoured Regiment, expressed confidence in the trainees’ readiness to operate and maintain the sophisticated vehicles.
He also commended AMENTUM for upholding high standards during the training and instilling confidence and renewing a sense of responsibility among the soldiers.
Speaking at the event, Lt Col Paul Corbitt, Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, highlighted the history and evolution of military transport vehicles.
He noted that early models like the Humvee, once deployed in Afghanistan, were vulnerable due to their low clearance and instability on rough terrain.
According to AMENTUM representatives, the course is tailored for experienced drivers and equips them with the technical knowledge to navigate complex terrains and operate the Puma’s advanced systems—including axle and differential locks, turret controls, and dashboard indicators.
The Puma M36 boasts features not commonly found in standard trucks, such as deep axle locks and in-cabin checks for engine and gearbox oil levels. These enhancements are expected to boost GAF’s mobility and resilience in peacekeeping and internal security operations.
AMENTUM, a key U.S. defence contractor, has operations across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Chad, Niger, Somalia, and Burkina Faso.
Also present at the closing ceremony were Colonel Ekow Nkrane Mensah-Yawson, Deputy Commander of the 15 Armoured Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ackerson, Deputy Director of Plans at the Ghana Armed Forces General Headquarters.