US provides Ghana with Navy ship

AT A ceremony in Sekondi, Western Region, the Ghana Navy Ship GNS commissioned by the GNS Bonsu, a 180-foot Balsam Class buoy tender, transferred directly from the US Coast Guard.

The boat, formerly the USCG Sweet Briar, is the third ship provided to Ghana by the US Defence Department.

The two others, the GNS Anzone, and the GNS Hansen, were commissioned in October 2001.

The GNS Bonsu was acquired under the US Department of Defence Excess Defence Articles programme.

The GNS received over $400,000 worth of training related to the operation of the buoy tenders.

A speech delivered at the ceremony by the US Embassy Political Officer, Richard Kaminski, stated that while many other countries requested the boats, the US selected Ghana in recognition that the Ghana Navy would put the boats to good use in international peace-keeping efforts and in support of national security and development.

He also cited the Ghana Navy's impressive maintenance record and reputation for professionalism as another factor in the decision to choose Ghana as the recipient of the boats.

He added that the transfer reflects the strong military relations between the US and Ghana.