Ghana Navy names Sekondi Naval Shipyard Slipway after first Commanding Officer
The Ghana Navy has named its Shipyard Slipway at the Sekondi Naval Base after Commander John Arthur Kofi Adiku (Rtd), the first Commanding Officer (CO) of the Naval Shipyard.
The gesture was to recognise Cdr Adiku (Rtd), who served as the pioneering CO from July 1975 to September 1979 for his exceptional contributions to naval engineering, ship maintenance, and the overall growth of the Ghana Navy.
The ceremony, held under the auspices of the Naval Logistics Command (NAVLOC), at Sekondi, was attended by the Navy high command, Air Vice Marshall Eric Agyen-Frempong, the Chief of Air Staff, some former Chiefs of Naval Staff, heads of other security services in the Western Region, family and friends of Cdr Adiku (Rtd), traditional authorities, and the clergy among others.
Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), speaking at the event said the Shipyard Slipway had been named in honour of an officer whose vision, discipline, and technical direction and expertise had shaped the foundation of naval engineering in the Ghana Navy.
He said as the first CO, Cdr Adiku (Rtd) established a strong foundation for Shipyard operations, maintenance culture, and personnel development, adding that these principles continued to guide the Shipyard's activities.
He said: “Honouring such a figure aligns with our longstanding naval traditions of recognising individuals whose vision and commitments have significantly advanced the growth of the Navy as an institution.”
Rear Admiral Bessing stated that the gesture was not only to maintain historical continuity, but also to inspire current and future generations of naval personnel to uphold the Navy's values of loyalty, devotion, and excellence.
Cdr Adiku (Rtd) in his acceptance speech said the honour reflected not only his personal contribution, but also the dedication and hard work of the many officers, Ratings, and Defence Civilian Staff with diverse technical competencies whose collective efforts had shaped the development of the Naval Shipyard over the years.
He said: “As pioneers, we faced numerous challenges, including limited resources, evolving technical demands, and the need to establish systems, procedures, and standards from ground up.
“But together with a dedicated team of officers and technical personnel, we worked tirelessly to transform that vision into a reality.”
Cdr Adiku (Rtd) expressed gratitude to the Navy high command for naming the Slipway after him, saying, “It connects my name to a unit whose establishment and growth have been closely tied to my professional journey.”
He charged the current leadership and workforce of the Naval Shipyard to remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, continuous learning, innovation, and the highest standards of workmanship.
As part of the ceremony, he was also presented with a beautiful stole and citation.
GNA