Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Ghana Armed Forces – Rear Admiral (R/Adm) Issah Adam Yakubu, has received the 7th Commander, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Forces for Europe and Africa – Major General (Maj Gen) Robert B Sofge Jr, who led an entourage to pay a courtesy call.
The CNS welcomed the General and his entourage to the Naval Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra, on Tuesday 6 February 2024, and held talks focusing on security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), effects of happenings in the Red Sea area in the Middle East, and strengthening the already existing bilateral ties between Ghana and the United States of America (USA).
Admiral Yakubu assured General Sofge Jr of the total commitment of the Ghana Navy, to working with the USMC Forces Europe and Africa, to ensure a safe and secured maritime domain, stating that piracy and other maritime crimes in the GoG had declined as a result of the continuous presence of the Ghana Navy at sea.
The CNS indicated that Ghana Navy is committed to working closely with the US Coast Guard, to advance their amphibious capabilities, in defending the maritime domain.
Maj Gen RB Sofge Jr on his part, described the happenings in the Red Sea as unfortunate, and stated that Ghana’s leadership in the GoG was critical to ensuring a safe shipping route for vessels that may redirect away from the troubled seas towards Africa.
He further affirmed the US government’s continuous commitment to the security of the GoG maritime domain, and the strengthening of defence institutions within the domain.
The USMC Forces Commander for Europe and Africa, was accompanied by the Vice Commander, Sixth Fleet, United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, who also doubles as the Director, Maritime Partnership Program – R/Adm Calvin Foster, and Staff of the US Embassy in Accra.
R/Adm IA Yakubu presented plaques to his US guests, and decorated them with a Ghana Navy customized Kente stole, and Maj Gen RB Sofge Jr in return, presented a plaque to the CNS.
The US Marine Corps Forces for Europe and Africa is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and conducts operations, exercises, training and security cooperation activities throughout the African continent.
It has a primary focus of engagement to bring Marine Corps competencies to bear in support of US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) mission of building enduring partnerships, bolstering military capacity, and promoting regional stability with African partners.
Credit: GHANA NAVY PR
