Kofi Ampeah Woode
Through its own resources, the Ghana Navy (GN) has constructed a three-floor sixty-one self-contained unit accommodation, and a Mess with multiple features, and christened it after its late Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) Riby-Williams – one of the most celebrated Senior Rates in the history of the GN – as the Admiralty’s further acknowledgement of its Senior Rates as the backbone of the Navy.
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) – Rear Admiral (R/Adm) Issah Adam Yakubu, as the Guest of Honour for the commissioning event, on Thursday 28 March 2024, cited Senior Ratings as playing a pivotal role in Ghana Navy’s operations, leading by example, dedicated, sacrificial, professional, and inspiring those around them to reach greater heights.
In an address, Admiral Yakubu said the brand new lodgings located behind the Ghana Navy@50 building, Burma Camp, Accra, would help alleviate the acute accommodation challenges facing senior rates deployed for temporary duties in Accra, and that the junior rates would also benefit, as some accommodation units would be freed from the senior rates for them at the Navy@50 Building.
Of the Mess for the Senior Ratings, the CNS said, it is not merely a place to eat or rest, but also stands as a symbol of camaraderie, discipline, and fraternity, a haven where bonds are forged, stories are shared, the spirit of service is perpetuated, represents commitment to nurturing an environment that supports and uplifts.
The new Mess has facilities like a spacious ante-room; dining room, store rooms and an office for the Mess Manager, a large car park, front porch, dance floor and band stand, lots of green areas to freshen the atmosphere, to create comfort for relaxation and unwinding.
“This Mess is a reflection of our deep respect and admiration for you, and it is my hope that it will serve as a place of respite, rejuvenation, and connection for generations of senior rates to come, and by providing you with a comfortable and inviting space to connect with your comrades, we are reaffirming our commitment to your welfare”, Admiral Yakubu told his Senior Ratings.
Testifying of the eponym, the CNS said MCPO Riby-Williams was an exceptional Rating who rose from Ordinary Seaman to Chief Petty Officer Class One, in less than ten years, a feat unsurpassed by anyone, and was an embodiment of loyalty, professionalism and discipline.
The outgone Chief Staff Officer (CSO), Navy Headquarters – Commodore (Cdre) Prosper Mensah Kwami Modey said upon assumption of office, the CNS envisaged a modernized Navy that is capable of securing Ghana’s maritime interests, while upholding naval values and traditions.
He said over the last 3 years, the CNS has improved the infrastructure of the GN, acquire 6 new patrol platforms to enhance operations in our maritime domain, undertaken developmental projects across all Commands; including the Block D Ratings’ Accommodation in Sekondi, the 16-Unit Senior Rates accommodation at Duala, Burma Camp, and the half-compound projects in the Western and Naval Training Commands.
The idea of constructing a new Mess for GN Senior Rates, and move them from their lodgings – where they are co-located with the Wardroom – was mooted several decades ago, to give them more spacious and modern environment, for currently, they share the Navy@50 building with the Junior Rates, which is also full to capacity, and can no longer contain both Senior and Junior Rates.
Present at the inauguration included the Commandant, Training and Doctrines Command – R/Adm Eric Adu; Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, General Headquarters – R/Adm Samuel Agyenim-Boateng; Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command – Cdre Emmanuel Ayesu Kwafo; Chief Staff Officer, Navy Headquarters – Cdre Bright Emmanuel Kojo Atiayao; Flag Officer Fleet – Cdre Samuel Ayelazono;
Others were; former CNSs, Senior Officers, Officers, the Forces Sergeant Major – Chief Warrant Officer Addo Daniel, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ansah-Yeboah Isaac – Service Sergeant Major of the Ghana Army; Master Chief Petty Officer Kpormego Quarshie – Master Coxswain, GN; and MWO Bawa Abdulai – Master Air Warrant Officer of the Ghana Air Force, Ratings, Defence Civilian Staff, son and daughter of late MCPO Riby-Williams.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
