Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Rear Admiral (R/Adm) Issah Adam Yakubu has listed a number of benefits the Ghana Navy (GN) has derived from enhancing collaboration with its local and international partners, as a result of implementing its strategic objective under its Agenda 2024.
In a presentation to Commanders, Directors, Staff Officers, Coxswains, Ratings and Defence Civilian Staff of the GN at its two-day 2024 CNS Annual Conference, on Thursday 22 February 2024, at the Naval Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra, Admiral Yakubu cited a number of infrastructural benefits.
On the local front, the Naval Chief cited collaboration with all maritime stakeholders, leading to the preparation and launch of the critical National Integrated Maritime Strategy (NIMS) – whose full implementation would commence with the appointment of a National Coordinator – and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for maritime operations.
He also referred to the presentation of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) received from the Ghana Boundary Commission, and of communication equipment presented by the National Signals Bureau.
The secondment of a Naval Officer to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), as the Director of Port Security, at the Takoradi Harbour; secondment of officers and Ratings to the Ghana Maritime Authority, and possible secondment to the National Security Secretariat, the Petroleum Commission and other stakeholders, and the Tema Harbour, he cited.
In the list was the international collaboration of a Trilateral Agreement with the Danish Special Warfare Group, and the United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa, which has led to the following:
The GN Special Boat Squadron (SBS) Camp at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC); Training support from the Danish Frogman Corps which has enabled the GN to conduct world-class standard Basic and Intermediate Operative Courses in Ghana, with higher standards than it obtained previously, when the Navy trained its SBS outside of Ghana;
Then there is the donation of two Defender Class Boats (higher grade to Defender Class actually) by the US Government for SBS Operation; release of funds by the Danish Government for a Full-Mission Bridge Simulator at NAVTRAC – which would be installed by June 2024, and would be one of its kind in the Gulf of Guinea – to be used not only for training GN personnel, but also for training of neighbouring countries’ personnel.
Additionally, there is the construction of Ship-in-a-Box for Vessel Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) training at NAVTRAC; the construction of a rappelling tower for SBS training at NAVTRAC; completion of a boat shed by the US Seabees, and construction of a boat ramp at NAVTRAC, and the ongoing construction of a seamanship school, and accommodation block at NAVTRAC by China.
There also is the possibility of other countries sending their personnel to NAVTRAC for training, which would require the urgent construction of suitable accommodation for such international students and staff, and the need for a modern resort which would be patronized due to an agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
As a result, R/Adm IA Yakubu stated that the Navy has acquired land for the purpose of constructing a resort, with drawings for the lodge prepared by a prospective partner, in a Public-Private-Partnership arrangement, at NAVTRAC, Nutekpor.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
