Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Naval Headquarters (NHQ), and the Riverine Command, Ghana Navy (GN), have jointly held their West Africa Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA) 2024, to celebrate and appreciate collective achievements, learn from setbacks, and set the stage for the roll out of 2025.
The exciting event was held at the forecourt of the NHQ, Burma Camp, Accra, on Friday 31 January 2025, with former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Ghana Navy (GN) – Rear Admiral (R/Adm) Peter Kofi Faidoo (Rtd), as the Guest of Honour, supported by the CNS, GN – Vice Admiral (V/Adm) Issah Adam Yakubu.
In attendance as Special Guest was the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – General (Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah; the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona; and the Chief of Staff (CoS), General Headquarters, GAF – Lt Gen Joseph Prince Osei-Owusu.
R/Adm PK Faidoo (Rtd) spoke of WASSA as a significant event for GAF, providing a rare moment to step back from rigorous duties to reflect, and prepare for the oncoming year.
He described GN’s activities in 2024 as undoubtedly remarkable with numerous notable accomplishments which included accommodations, training facilities and vessels, and cited the CNS – Admiral Yakubu for congratulations for making the entire GN proud, with his leadership.
R/Adm Faidoo (Rtd) who served in GN for over 4 decades, encouraged all personnel to perform their tasks with professionalism and integrity, to promote the Navy’s professional image, which he referred to as noble, and thus collectively maintain its reputation.
Futuristically, he expressed confidence that Ghana’s naval force would continue to play its role in promoting national interest, remaining vigilant and focused on tasks, being mindful of the increasing need to defend the nation, as the country grows and develops.
He further admonished troops to desist from partisan politics, illegal operations, unauthorized deployments, and confrontations with civilians that could tarnish the image of GAF, and to keep in active memory that personnel’s actions have consequences.
In a summarized overview of the activities of GN, the CNS – V/Adm IA Yakubu described GN in 2024 as one that faced budgetary constraints, manpower shortfalls, and logistics challenges, among others, and despite these challenges, delivered exemplary and commendable service.
As a professionally well-motivated and formidable naval force, GN consolidated gains made over past years, and made efforts in building an effective and efficient Navy that remains resolute, setting out to complete all outstanding projects outlined in the Navy’s Agenda 2024, succeeding in achieving nearly all set targets, since assumption of office of Admiral Yakubu.
In line with its Agenda 2024, a number of accommodation, infrastructural projects and ship acquisitions were initiated during the tenure of V/Adm Yakubu as CNS, to improve the welfare, training and working conditions of personnel, as well as to combat the dynamic maritime threats in Ghana’s waters.
The attainments included the construction and subsequent commissioning of the Senior Rates Mess – Burma Camp; Yakubu Villas – Sekondi; Ship-in-a Box christened MV KETA LAGOON – Nutekpor; state-of-the-art boat maintenance facility – Sekondi; two Defender Class boats donated by the United States; commissioning of Forward Operating Base Ezinlibo and GNS ACHIMOTA, and the Lill-May Didriksen Full Mission Bridge Simulation Centre –Nutekpor.
Ongoing projects include a 28-unit one storey accommodation facility at NAVTRAC for Instructors, and a 16-unit prefab accommodation each for the Special Boat Squadron at the Eastern Naval Command and the Naval Training Command, respectively.
The Chief Staff Officer, NHQ – Commodore (Cdre) Emmanuel Bright Kojo Atiayao cited the following organizations for being generous sponsors of the event: SUPREMO SERVICES LTD, STEADY GRIP, FREESTYLE ENT, CARE VILLAGE, POINT 5 VENTURES, YEPON VENTURES, AUTUMN ROSES, PROMASIDOR GH LTD and MECOWA GH LTD.
As part of the events, there was a cooking contest between male personnel of the Operations, NHQ, Logistics and Administration Department, preparing Tuo-Zaafi, Jollof, Apapransa, boiled Yam with Kontommire sauce, in 1 hour 30 minutes.
For awards; honour citations were presented to the following:
Mr ABOAGYE DANIEL – CHIEF GARDENER, NHQ; for unparalleled diligence, commitment, and unwavering dedication to work, throughout 34 years of exceptional service as a Defence Civilian Employee with GAF, demonstrating exemplary character worth emulating.
Madam ANANG LILY – a dedicated and exemplary Defence Civilian Staff of GAF who retires after a career spanning over 22 years, in the Departments of Manpower and Public Relations, and at the Office of the Chief of Naval Staff, as a Confidential Clerk.
Able Seaman Class 1 MUSTAPHA MUMUNI – exceptional Junior Rating and a driver among colleagues, demonstrating unwavering commitment, professionalism, outstanding skills in executing duties, multiple assignments execution competence, professional composure, discipline, loyalty, dedication, respectful and cooperative attitude to foster positive working relationship with superiors, subordinates, and Defence Civilian Staff.
Chief Petty Officer Class 2 AYESU DARKO ISAAC – recognition of exemplary leadership, exceptional dedication, unwavering commitment to excellence as Seaman Gunner, and of the Regulating Office Chiefs, contributing 9 years of outstanding service at the NHQ.
Dignitaries present included Deputy CoS, Medical – Major General Raymond Ewusi; Deputy CoS, Admin – Air Vice Marshal Felix Asante; Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command – Cdre Solomon Asiedu-Larbi; FOC, Riverine Command – Cdre James Adongo Agambire; Defence Attachés, US Embassy – Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gilbert, and Commander Matthew Kohlmann; Senior Officers, Officers, Chief Coxswain, Ratings, and Defence Civilian Staff.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
