US to train marine police force in Ghana

The US is investing over $1.2 million to build a training centre for the marine unit of the Ghana police, in the city of Anyinase on the country's southwest coast.

The construction of the National Marine Police Training Academy was launched in late March at a ceremony attended by Ghanaian officials and representatives from the US embassy in Accra.

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) will coordinate training at the academy in how to target illegal marine activity such as piracy, illegally arms, narcotics and human trafficking along Ghana's coastline.

In separate news, Australia is providing around $2 million to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene services in some communities in the eastern and greater regions of Accra.

The programme is being coordinated by agency Australian Aid, in partnership with international non-governmental organisation WaterAid and other local non-governmental organisations, and funding is coming from the Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES).