As per the information released by the Ghanian officials these vessels will come in very handy especially once commercial drilling of crude oil begins. The Navy can effectively ward off any threats to production or transportation. The head of the Western Naval Command, Commodore Timothy S. Appiah has disclosed this news to the media. He said that the ships are being manufactured in three countries; China, Germany and Korea and should be in the country in the next 26 months.
According to media report the new vessels are badly needed as the current navy fleet is seriously depleted and in no position to defend Ghana’s waters. The report also mentioned that the Navy is thus unable to conduct the necessary patrols thereby worsening Ghana’s vulnerability to illegal activities. Maritime experts believe that the West African coast is gradually becoming an attractive destination for pirates because of the lack of high sea patrols.
Commodore Appiah, however, said despite their inadequacies, the Navy is leaving nothing to chance. He added that the naval officials have officers received both theoretical and practical training on how to better protect their territorial waters against pirates, illegal fishing, drug trafficking and illegal oil bunkering.
