Kofi Ampeah Woode
The United States Africa Command (USAFRICOMM) has requested the Ghana Navy (GN) to host a maiden International Conference dubbed Regional Maritime Security Forum and Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium, in May 2024.
Ghana’s Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) – Rear Admiral (R/Adm) Issah Adam Yakubu made the revelation when he presented his address at GN’s 2024 CNS Annual Conference at the Owusu-Ansah Hall of the Naval Headquarters (NHQ), Burma Camp, on Thursday 22 February, 2024.
Admiral Yakubu said the request comes after the successful hosting of the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) in 2021 and 2023, boosting the image of the Navy in particular, and Ghana’s as a whole.
He continued that, it is expected that the CNS of USA, the Secretary of the US Navy, the Commandant of the US Marine Corps, the Commander of USAFRICOM, alongside many Navy Chiefs in Africa and around the world, would attend the international symposium.
Urging all Naval Staff to hold themselves in readiness to support the organization of the international Symposium, Admiral Yakubu continued that it would be a great opportunity and powerful stage to make a case for more collaboration.
A high delegation led by the Commander, US Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa – Major General Robert Sofge Jr, has already conferred with R/Adm Yakubu and his Staff Officers, in preparation for the conference, and have been shown round some facilities that could be used for the symposium, and they expressed satisfaction.
Ghana has successfully held defence and security related international conferences in recent times, some of which have been the International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEC) in 2019, 2021 and 2023, International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC) 2022, and the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference 2023.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
