The United States have donated two Defender-class boats and a state-of-the-art storage facility to the Ghanaian Navy.
The donation, valued at over $1.5 million, aims to strengthen the Ghana Navy’s ability to combat maritime threats and ensure regional security.
In September 2021, the United States’ announced that SAFE Boats International will supply two 38-foot (12 m) Defender class boats along with trailers, spare parts and training to the Ghanaian Navy to help in the fight against piracy and other maritime crime.
At a handing-over ceremony, held at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Nutekpor on Friday 27 September 2024, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency (HE) Virginia E Palmer said, the US takes immense pride in the long-standing partnership with Ghana, a partnership she described as rooted in shared commitments to security, democracy and prosperity. “This ceremony is more than just a handover, it symbolizes our joint efforts to ensure the Ghana Navy is well-equipped to safeguard its waters and sustain these critical assets,” she stated.
Virginia Palmer added that the donation is the latest embodiment of the tangible benefits of a robust US-Ghana security partnership.
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu in his address, paid tribute to his forebears for conceiving the idea of establishing NAVTRAC and the progressive developments that have taken place throughout their tenures.
The CNS revealed that the donations are part of the numerous equipment and facilities the US Government under the trilateral agreement, promised to donate to the Ghana Navy to enhance her Special Boat Squadron’s capabilities and operational reach. He added that within the past two years, the US government has donated four 38-foot boats with maintenance spares as well as communication sets, Visit Board Search and Seizure equipment, weapons and ammunition among others.
The Flag Officer Commanding NAVTRAC, Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi conveyed the deepest gratitude of the command to the US Navy Seabees from the U.S. Navy’s 22nd Naval Construction Regiment and Marines from the Hershel Woody Williams Marine Detachment Engineer Platoon for their high sense of professionalism and the cordial relationship that transpired with the command throughout the construction of the storage facility.
The two Defender-class Boats were named “GNS ISSAH YAKUBU’, after the current CNS and “GNS DAVID HANSEN”, after the first CNS in recognition of their contributions to maritime security.
These latest boat delivery are part of capability enhancements of the Ghanaian Navy from the United States.
In June last year, the Ghana Navy has received two 27 metres high-speed Protector class ships from the United States of America to boost its maritime law enforcement mandate.
Subsequently in July 2023, the US government donated two 38 ft Defender-class boats to Ghana’s Special Boat Squadron (SBS), the Ghana Navy
Since the early last decade, Ghana has been steadily building its naval strength, by introducing new vessels and building a new base.
Last year, the Ghanaian Navy (GN) commissioned four new Flex fighter patrol boats, and is awaiting the delivery of two other offshore patrol vessels.
Currently, the Navy of Ghana has a total of 11 ships including four Snake-class patrol vessels, two Balsam-class patrol ships, one Chamsuri-class patrol boat, two Albatros-class fast attack craft, and two Warrior-class/Gepard-class fast attack craft.