President Akufo-Addo(seated middle) commissioned the ships on Friday
President Nana Akufo-Addo Friday commissioned four new vessels acquired for use by the Ghana Navy at the Sekondi-Takoradi Naval Base in the Western Region.
The acquisition of these vessels, according President Akufo-Addo, is yet a further manifestation of the commitment of Government to retool and re-equip the Ghana Armed Forces to enable them perform their duty of protecting the territorial integrity of our nation.
According to him, the vessels are fittingly named after some of Ghana’s famous rivers. They are Ghana Navy Ship Volta, Ghana Navy Ship Densu, Ghana Navy Ship Pra and Ghana Navy Ship Ankobra.
“This is in recognition of significant progress being made by the Armed Forces to end illegal mining in our river bodies, and help restore them to their natural state. Naming these ships after them is entirely appropriate,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo regretted that Ghana and other West Africa countries are being confronted with twin threats of terrorism and violent extremism from the Sahel as well as piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
To this end, he reaffirmed his commitment and determination to do everything within his power to guarantee the nation’s territorial integrity, and ensure the safety of Ghanaians.
Northern boarders
Outlining the actions that had been taken to protect the country’s northern borders, he stated that the Northern Border Project, designed to safeguard Ghana’s land borders in the North, is progressing steadily to protect the country’s northern borders from the onslaught of violent extremists and terrorists.
He disclosed that it will include the establishment of Forward Operating Bases (FOB) along the northern perimeters, and equip them with state-of-the-art equipment to defend the country.
He said with the country’s economy highly dependent on offshore resources, coupled with the enormous potentials of the maritime sector to contribute to Ghana’s food security and employment generation efforts, provision of effective maritime security is of the utmost necessity.
“Therefore, the Ghana Navy, as the lead maritime security agency, deserves all the support it needs to enable it carry out its duties efficiently and effectively. In addition to these four ships being commissioned today, Government is in the process of acquiring two offshore patrol vessels with high endurance limits, to maintain constant presence at sea,” he said.
Myriad of threats
Government, he further added, would also procure some more patrol vessels to respond to the myriad of threats along the coastline. He said financing for the acquisition of these ships had been already provided for in the security sector retooling programme, initiated by his government.
The President was confident that with the arrival of the four “river class” ships, as well as the imminent coming into play of the others, the Navy, working in collaboration with other services, will be well-equipped to protect the country’s maritime domain. He added that this would in turn serve as a boost for the fisheries and shipping sectors, as well as for offshore oil and gas production.
“These four ships are to provide dedicated security to our offshore oil and gas installations, which have, hitherto, been, regrettably, unprotected. They were acquired through a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Defence, Israel Shipyards Ltd, Ghana Commercial Bank and two international oil companies,” he noted.
Reassurance
He reaffirmed his confidence and that of the nation in the competence, dedication and professionalism of the officers, men, women and civilian staff of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“Their loyalty to the Republic and to the maintenance of its constitutional order continues to be exemplary. I am glad to note, in particular, the achievements of the Navy in the fight against piracy, fuel smuggling and other maritime crimes,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo reassured the security services that Government would not waiver in its quest to empower them.
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