In a span of just over a month, the Ghana Navy has been at the forefront of strengthening its bilateral relations and diplomatic standing within the global defence community.
Through a series of high-level meetings and strategic engagements with international defence officials, the naval branch has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing cooperation in areas such as maritime security, training, and technological advancement. These interactions reflect Ghana’s growing role in securing the maritime domain, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, a region of critical importance to Africa’s economic and security landscape. As the Ghana Navy prepares to host the 4th Biennial International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) in 2025, these diplomatic efforts are setting the stage for deeper collaboration and innovation in addressing the continent’s maritime challenges.
The recent engagements began on 24 June 2025, when Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), received Colonel Osman Shanun Zuneidu, Director of Education for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), at Tema. The visit focused on fostering institutional collaboration and promoting educational development within the Command. Commodore Asiedu-Larbi reaffirmed the ENC’s dedication to supporting the Naval Base Basic School and other educational institutions under its oversight, pledging the Command’s readiness to assist with development initiatives and address operational challenges as they arise. This meeting highlighted the Navy’s broader commitment to capacity-building, not only in military operations but also in the educational foundations that support its personnel and their families.
Strengthening ties with European partners, the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Laura Ranalli, paid a courtesy call on Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), at the Naval Headquarters on 19 June 2025. The visit aimed to deepen bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Italy, with Ambassador Ranalli expressing gratitude to the CNS and identifying potential areas for collaboration, including digitalisation, education, agriculture, and health infrastructure improvements. This interaction reflects the multifaceted nature of Ghana’s defence diplomacy, where military cooperation is interwoven with broader developmental goals.
Further reinforcing European ties, Commander Francesco Marangio, Commanding Officer of the Italian Ship COMANDANTE BETTICA, visited Commodore Asiedu-Larbi on 17 June 2025 to discuss upcoming joint exercises between the two navies. These exercises, focused on Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) and First Aid training, are designed to enhance teamwork and operational synergy. Commander Marangio emphasized Italy’s view of Ghana as a reliable security partner, stressing the importance of collaborative training to bolster defence and security capabilities.
This visit not only demonstrates Italy’s commitment to Ghana’s maritime security but also sets the stage for practical, hands-on cooperation in naval operations. Turkey’s growing interest in defence collaboration with Ghana was evident when Colonel Ahmet Pakis, the Turkish Defence Attaché, visited Rear Admiral Bessing on 12 June 2025. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and explore areas for cooperation between the Ghana Navy and the Turkish Navy. Colonel Pakis expressed Turkey’s readiness to support Ghana’s maritime operations, a gesture that Rear Admiral Bessing welcomed, expressing his anticipation for future projects that could enhance the Navy’s capabilities. On 9 June 2025, Korean Ambassador Park Kyongsig met with Rear Admiral Bessing to discuss a potential partnership aimed at combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Ambassador Kyongsig’s visit signalled Korea’s willingness to contribute to maritime security in the region, an area of mutual concern given the economic and strategic importance of safe sea lanes. Rear Admiral Bessing reiterated the Ghana Navy’s dedication to collaborative efforts, emphasizing the need for international support in addressing the persistent challenges of piracy and other maritime crimes. China’s role in Ghana’s defence landscape was also prominent, with executives from the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), led by Mr Fang Xu, visiting Rear Admiral Bessing on 2 June 2025. The purpose of this visit was to introduce CATIC to the Ghana Navy and explore avenues for future collaboration.
Rear Admiral Bessing expressed gratitude for the visit and affirmed the Navy’s commitment to leveraging CATIC’s expertise to enhance its maritime operational capabilities through technological advancements, marking another step in Ghana’s efforts to diversify its defence partnerships. The United Kingdom, a long-standing partner, reaffirmed its commitment to bilateral defence relations when Commander Richard Walters, the UK Defence Attaché to Ghana, met with Rear Admiral Bessing.
The visit focused on exploring opportunities for operational support, training, and capacity-building, with Commander Walters emphasizing the UK’s dedication to enhancing regional stability through stronger ties with Ghana. This meeting, like others, stressed the importance of collaborative dialogue in advancing mutual security interests. China’s support was further solidified when Colonel Dou Yan, the Chinese Defence Attaché to Ghana, visited Rear Admiral Bessing on 21 May 2025. Colonel Yan reaffirmed China’s commitment to assisting the Ghana Navy and the broader Ghana Armed Forces, particularly in addressing security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
Rear Admiral Bessing expressed gratitude for China’s ongoing support, which has included capacity-building initiatives, training equipment, and infrastructural development. Regional cooperation was also a key theme, as Colonel Emmanuel Sholotan, the Nigerian Defence Attaché to Ghana, met with Rear Admiral Bessing to explore collaborations in security, training, and academic exchange programmes. The CNS emphasized the importance of specialised training in fields like engineering and architecture, advocating for tailored programmes to develop technical expertise within the Nigerian Navy.
This interaction reflects the deepening ties between West African navies as they work together to address shared security concerns. On 12 May 2025, a delegation from the Danish Special Operations Command, led by Colonel Nicholai Stallist Moller, visited Rear Admiral Bessing to strengthen partnerships in training and joint operations with the Special Boats Squadron (SBS). The delegation’s discussions also touched on supporting the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB), with Major General Lawrence Gbetanu, Chief of the Army Staff, expressing appreciation for Denmark’s capacity-building efforts. Rear Admiral Bessing echoed this sentiment, calling for even stronger ties between the Danish government and the Ghana Navy.
Brazil’s pledge to enhance maritime cooperation came during a visit by Ambassador Mariana Madeira and Colonel Anderson Ramos, the Brazilian Defence Attaché to Ghana and Nigeria, on 9 May 2025. The meeting focused on capacity-building, training, and strengthening the existing relationship between the Ghana and Brazilian Navies. Rear Admiral Bessing reaffirmed the Ghana Navy’s commitment to addressing challenges in the Gulf of Guinea through international cooperation, with gifts exchanged as a symbol of friendship and mutual respect. These diplomatic engagements do not occur in isolation.
The Ghana Navy is also preparing to host the 4th Biennial International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) in 2025, organised by Great Minds Events. This two-day event, themed “Securing Africa’s Maritime Future: Collaboration, Technology, and Sustainability in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape,” will bring together regional and international naval leaders to address critical maritime security issues. Commodore Ben Baba Abdul, Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Headquarters, noted that IMDEC 2025 will foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders, with over 500 attendees from more than 70 countries expected to participate.
The conference will showcase the latest defence technologies, including communication systems, radars, satellite imagery solutions, and vessels while facilitating strategic discussions to shape the future of maritime security in Africa. By covering the innovations, debates, and outcomes of IMDEC 2025, the media will help build a more informed and engaged global audience, shaping perspectives on Africa’s maritime challenges and opportunities.
Through these high-level meetings and the upcoming IMDEC 2025, the Ghana Navy is positioning itself as a central figure in the global defence community. By strengthening bilateral relations and fostering international cooperation, Ghana is not only enhancing its own maritime security but also contributing to the stability and prosperity of the entire African continent. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to addressing the complex challenges of the maritime domain and building a safer, more secure future for all.
