Kofi Ampeah Woode
The United States (US) and the Royal Danish governments have commissioned and dedicated a newly constructed mobile camp and other projects and equipment for the Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron (GNSBS), at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Nutekpor, Volta Region.
Additionally, the US Ambassador to Ghana – Her Excellency (HE) Virginia Palmer, on Friday 14 July 2023, broke ground for the construction of the SBS boat storage facility and a boat ramp. The US Government also supported the SBS with two 38-feet Defender Class Safe Boats, US Marine Forces Africa SBS Equipping kits and replaced the NAVTRAC Pontoon Pier.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Vice Admiral (V/Adm) Seth Amoama, who was the Guest of Honour at the commissioning acknowledged the US and Danish governments for their unwavering support and assistance towards equipping the SBS into a specialized unit to combat threats within the maritime domain.
He stated that a 5-year trilateral agreement was in force between the United States African Command (USAFRICOM), Danish Naval Special Warfare Group – commonly known as the Frogman Corps – and the Ghana Navy, to develop the GNSBS to an elite force capable of tackling the diverse security threats in the maritime domain, as well as develop the SBS into a tier-one Special Operations Force by 2026.
The CDS said the structures and equipment provided by the US and Danish governments will expand the operational reach of the Ghanaian SBS; “The boats will enable the SBS respond swiftly to maritime challenges and carry out critical operations with enhanced efficiency in the Gulf of Guinea”, he said.
He assured that the structures and equipment would be utilized to its fullest potential to contribute to a safer and secured maritime domain, and urged all and sundry to bear the responsibility to protect the marine ecosystems, ensure safety of navigation and preserve the precious resources that the ocean offers.
The Danish Ambassador to Ghana – HE Tom Norring, said the joint efforts to combine US and Danish projects to support the Ghana Navy and SBS, had been successful and constitutes one of the many examples of the bond between the three (3) countries. He was hopeful that the alliance would continue in the future to reach the maximum output of their efforts.
He further commended the CDS and the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) on their persistence and willingness to complete projects and developmental works at NAVTRAC, to develop Maritime Special Forces in Ghana:
“This project along with other projects at NAVTRAC are all important building blocks towards achieving Ghana Navy‘s aspirations of creating a Centre of Excellence for Maritime education in Ghana, to the greater good of Ghana and the Gulf of Guinea countries”, he stated.
In her address, the US ambassador to Ghana, HE Virginia Palmer stated that the gesture symbolized the strong relationship between US and Ghana, whereas the longstanding partnership between both countries is based on shared democratic values and history.
She added that the US was concerned about the security, humanitarian, and political crises unfolding in the Sahel. These, she said pose a persistent threat to Ghana’s economic growth, adding that it was prudent to support the Ghana Navy to combat and prevent piracy and illegal activities within the GoG.
The Ambassador further stated that the US Government was committed to invest an amount of $48 million dollars, to retool and fund the GAF equipment, training and technical support, which would boost the bilateral relationship between US and Ghana.
The assembled prefabricated mobile camp donated by the Danish Government will serve as a vital operational base, providing the SBS with the necessary infrastructure and facilities to effectively plan and execute missions, and also as a hub for training, coordination and joint operations, fostering interoperability between the SBS and its local and international partners.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), NAVTRAC – Commodore (Cdre) Bright Emmanuel Kojo Atiayao, in his welcome address said it was not strange that an infantile command such as NAVTRAC would have a number of teething problems and challenges, such as offices and accommodation.
He thus expressed gladness that Ghana Navy’s developmental partners, such as the US Navy and the Danish Navy, had come together to rescue the command.
Courtesy: GHANA NAVY PRO
