Ghana Navy gets fast attack craft
January 21, 2011
Sekondi, Jan. 21, GNA - Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith (rtd), Minister of Defence on Friday commissioned a fast attack craft, christened GNS Stephen Otu, into the fleet of the Ghana Navy in Sekondi.
The ship which was donated by the South Korea was named after the late Major General Stephen Otu, the first Ghanaian Chief of Defence Staff.
President John Evans Atta Mills said in a speech read on his behalf by General Smith that miscreants in the society who were bent on derailing efforts of the Government to make the country an icon of stability, peace and tranquillity in the sub-region should advise themselves before the long arm of the law caught up with them.
He observed that the production of oil had considerably changed the country's maritime security landscape.
"We are already grappling with illegal fishing activities, smuggling and trafficking of narcotics, which cost the country several million dollars a year," he said.
President Atta Mills said the time had for Ghana to take decisive action against "such bad nuts" to ensure that the country continue to prosper and enjoy good international image.
He said government would do all it takes to ensure that the country's maritime boundaries remained free from such nation wreckers.
President Atta Mills said he was aware of the current state of the Ghana Navy and of the difficulties they go through in putting ships to sea.
He said the Ghana Navy need to be equipped to enable it perform its constitutionally mandated duties.
President Atta Mills said the Slipway project being undertaken at the Naval Dockyard was on course and should be completed by the second quarter of the year.
He said the project would ease the difficulty of securing space for naval ships to enter Tema Dry Docks for routine and emergency repairs.
The slipway would also service commercial ships including fishing fleet and help improve the fortunes of fishermen.
He advised fishermen to avoid employing unauthorised means of fishing, saying the recent arrest of several vessels fishing with lights was disheartening.
Mr Leek Sank-Hak, South Korean Ambassador, spoke of the longstanding relations between Ghana and his country, which he said was meant to enhance national development efforts.
GNA