Royal Marines have been training in the heat of the jungles of Ghana – and have been impressed by the “can-do attitude” of their African counterparts.

Elements of 3 Commando Brigade took part in the bilateral Exercise Western Rhumba, 250 of them from the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF).

The BRF is a group which monitors enemy activity, surveys beaches and helicopter landing sites and obtains information on obstacles such as cliffs and minefields.

It is capable of operating days ahead of the main force, and demands high levels of soldiering skills, bravery and determination.

They go in by parachute, helicopter or boat, which requires specialist training.

Western Rhumba took place in arduous conditions in the Ghanaian jungle, near Achiase in the south-west of the country, and will help maintain the Corps’ ability to fight in any environment, be it desert, mountain, cold or jungle.

As one of the UK’s principle rapid deployment forces, the Royal Marines must be able to operate efficiently whatever the condition, able to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice, and such exercises help the Corps test themselves in typical conditions.

Lt Col M. Smith, Commanding Officer of the Command Support Group of 3 Cdo Brigade, said: “Ghana’s Jungle Warfare School is an ideal location, and the excellent support we have received from the Ghanaian MOD has been most generous – and is essential to the conduct of the deployment.”

Ghana was chosen not only for its jungle but because of the stability of the government – the UK maintains strong links with the country, and the local Armed Forces offer much in the way of expertise.

“The Royal Marines have been impressed not only with the facilities offered but also the ‘can-do’ attitude of the Ghana soldiers,” said Sgt Stan Bloomer, media operations officer for the Brigade.

The heat and humidity of the environment put the troops under stress, testing their willpower and determination.

It also helped foster relations between the Ghanaian forces and the UK Services – the African nation’s Defence Minister noted that “the British Armed Forces could be described as the mother of the Ghana Armed Forces ... these foundations have now been built upon and improved by Ghana.”

And the Royals hoped that not only would they learn from their hosts, but that they could also pass on skills to the Ghanaians.

One highly-successful element of the deployment was the building of a new school by Royal Engineers from 59 Ind Cdo Sqn RE from Chivenor in North Devon.

On a suggestion by the CO of the Jungle Warfare School, Lt Col Bob Nsyska, the Officer Commanding BRF, Maj Andrew Fergusson RM, took the chance and a modern facility for 120 children and five teachers was completed in four weeks.

The headmaster of the school said: “The children are so delighted. Education is very important in Ghana and all the children know that.

“They love to go to school and this building will make a real difference to them and their futures.”

Also taking part were Recce Troops from 42 Cdo RM, 45 Cdo RM, Forward Observation Officers from 148 Battery RA, boat support from 539 Assault Squadron RM and helicopter support from 846 Naval Air Squadron of the Commando Helicopter Force.

There were also reconnaissance elements from the Royal Netherlands Marines Corps.