A specialized four-week orientation training program has successfully concluded. The training focused on the operation and maintenance of the newly acquired Puma M36 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Armoured Personnel Carriers.

Forty personnel from the Ghana Army’s 15 Armoured Brigade and the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps took part in the program.

The training, which wrapped up on Friday, May 2, 2025, was held at the 153 Armoured Regiment headquarters at Burma Camp in Accra.

Facilitated by AMENTUM, a U.S.-based defense contractor, the program was coordinated through the Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana.

Brigadier General Gah, Commander of the 15 Armoured Brigade, graced the closing ceremony as the guest of honor.

He applauded the participants for their hard work, emphasizing the importance of passing on the newly acquired skills to other soldiers within the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

The training sessions were designed to be both theoretical and practical. The curriculum covered essential topics such as vehicle identification, operational instructions, safety procedures, and turret and gun port handling.

In addition, soldiers underwent practical lessons on driving the Puma M36 across various terrains including sand, mud, and rocky inclines. A key component of the training also included servicing and maintaining the sophisticated Puma M36 MK 6-275 4×4, culminating in a field training exercise.

Lieutenant Colonel David Kwesi Korsah, Commanding Officer of the 153 Armoured Regiment, expressed full confidence in the trainees’ preparedness to operate and maintain the MRAP vehicles effectively.

He also commended AMENTUM for its high standards throughout the training and its role in fostering a renewed sense of responsibility among the soldiers.

At the ceremony, Lt Col Paul Corbitt, Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, shared insights into the evolution of military transport vehicles, pointing out the vulnerabilities of early models like the Humvee, which were prone to instability due to their low clearance on rough terrain.

He noted how the Puma M36 addressed these issues with advanced features that enhance its stability and protection.

According to AMENTUM representatives, the training was specifically tailored for experienced drivers and equipped them with the knowledge necessary to operate the Puma M36’s advanced systems.

These systems include turret controls, axle and differential locks, and specialized dashboard indicators. With these capabilities, the Puma M36 is expected to greatly enhance the GAF’s mobility and resilience, particularly in peacekeeping and internal security operations.

AMENTUM, which has a significant presence across Sub-Saharan Africa, also operates in countries such as Chad, Niger, Somalia, and Burkina Faso, further bolstering its expertise in military vehicle training.

The closing ceremony was also attended by 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.