Western Naval Chief Pulled Out

Commodore Zowonoo (right) handing over to Commodore Faidoo

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Western Naval Command, Commodore Godson Zowonoo, has bowed out of active service after about 40 years of dedicated service to the Ghana Navy.

His final disengagement was marked by a colourful pulling-out ceremony and parade which took place at the Sekondi Naval Base in Sekondi.

Some civilian employees and onlookers who witnessed the event were moved to tears when Commodore Zowonoo, who became the FOC of the Western Naval in 2013, went through the military custom, performed to pave way for a successor to take office.

He was enlisted into the Ghana Military Academy at Teshie in Accra as a Naval Cadet in November 1976 for six months standard military training.

Commodore Zowonoo then proceeded to Tema Naval Base for his basic naval officers training where he also studied Nautical Science at the then Nautical College at Nungua in Accra.

He went to Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), Dartmouth in Britain in 1977 for the International Midshipman Course and graduated in 1978.

He was commissioned in March 1979 into the Ghana Armed Forces as an acting Sub Lt on return to Ghana.

He was appointed FOC of the Western Naval Command on April 26, 2013 with additional responsibility as the Garrison Commander for the No. 2 Garrison.

Speaking at the solemn ceremony, the outgoing FOC of the Western Naval Command pointed out that his two-year work experience as FOC would remain the most memorable he has had in the Navy.

He took the opportunity to commend the officers, men and civilian employees of the command for their tireless support and hard work that helped him realise his mission.

He entreated them to offer the same unflinching support to the incoming FOC to enable the command to excel in its duties.

The outgoing FOC also thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Biekro, and other individuals and organisations in and around the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis for their enormous support that helped the command realise its goal of protecting and defending the maritime industry of Ghana.

He expressed gratitude to the staff of the Ghana Armed Forces for their good service in protecting the territorial boundaries of the nation and encouraged them not to relent.

“To everything there is a season, a time for everything under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck. The time has come for me over the mantle of command to my successor,” he indicated.

In his remarks, the incoming FOC, Commodore Peter Kofi Faidoo, commended his predecessor for setting an enviable precedent of raising the image of the Western Naval Command to high standards.

He thanked GAF High Command for giving him the opportunity to serve the Ghana Navy and Ghana at large and promised to also continue the good work his forerunner had done to keep the Navy flag high.

Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Alfred Ekow Gyan and Nana Kobina Nketia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi