Ghana has commissioned a forward operating base (FOB) and a new naval ship to boost its navy’s capabilities.
The West African country stated that the newly-built FOB located, in Ezinlibo in the western region is its largest naval base and is expected to provide logistical support and personnel accommodation. The new naval base bordering Ivory Coast, promotes “peace and stability in the region.”
“This strategically located base will enhance the navy’s capacity to combat piracy, illegal fishing, and other security threats in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said in a statement. The Ghana Armed Forces reported two days later that the new naval base can accommodate more than 1,000 personnel.
The facility is one of 15 other forward operating bases (FOB) across the country’s northern frontiers for the Ghana Armed Forces, which are at various stages of completion, and are designed to allow the military to swiftly respond to any external hostilities because of increased terrorist activity in West Africa.
“This strategically located base will enhance the navy’s capacity to combat piracy, illegal fishing, and other security threats in the Gulf of Guinea,” President Nana Akufo-Addo stated.
On the same day, at Sekondi Naval Base, the president also commissioned the Ghana navy ship (GNS) Achimota, the largest naval ship in the Ghana Navy at 65 metres in length. Acquired from Japan.
GNS Achimota, described by officials as Accra’s largest naval acquisition, completed a 36-day journey from Japan, traveling 10,869 nautical miles (12,508 miles/20,129 kilometers) to reach the African country.
GNS Achimota is the third ship to bear the name after two previously decommissioned vessels, and is the largest vessel so far acquired by the Ghana Navy, measuring 65 metres in length, the Ghana Navy stated.
The vessel was built by Kurinoura Shipbuilding in Japan in 1999 and has a complement of 20 people. It was listed as being sold by SeaBoats marine brokers. It arrived at Sekondi Naval Base for the first time on 21 December.
Powered by a single-screw fixed-pitch propeller and diesel engine, the vessel features advanced navigation, communication, and surveillance systems for diverse maritime roles. GNS Achimota sailed from Yawatahama Port in Japan on 18 October 2024, covering a distance of 10 869 nautical miles to arrive home.
Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu emphasized the vessel’s importance in enhancing Ghana’s ability to safeguard its maritime interests.
The ship is set to support fisheries protection and serve as a training platform for military personnel.
These development is coming five years after the president inaugurated work on the new base, which is close to the border with Côte d’Ivoire, making it ideally located for protecting Ghana’s offshore oilfields.
Ghana is still expecting the delivery of two offshore patrol boats for the protection of the country’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure.
