A state-of-the-art facility, dubbed ‘Ship-In-A-Box’ has been commissioned at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) at Nutekpor, near Sogakope in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.
The project, being the second of its kind in the sub-region, is a training facility to facilitate the training of naval personnel in Maritime interdiction operations.
Mr. Dominic B. A Nitiwul, the Minister for Defence, during a short commissioning ceremony, said the facility to be used for visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) training, represents a significant leap forward in a collective mission to ensure the safety and security of maritime operations.
He said the innovative model of the ship for training maritime law enforcement personnel was in fulfillment of the promise made by Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic by ensuring the Command served as a strategic maritime training centre of excellence for sustained training in the Ghana Navy and others.
He said: ‘I think we are very much on cours
e to achieve what His Excellency the President said considering the various projects that are currently ongoing in this Command.’
Mr. Nitiwul said the facility remained a landmark moment that underscored the collective effort to stay ahead of traditional and emerging maritime security threats.
He said the Ghana Navy, since its establishment, had evolved into one of the most credible maritime forces in the sub-region, defending the territorial integrity of the Ghanaian maritime space, which he said, ‘remained very key to the socio-economic development of our dear country.’
Mr. Nitiwul, in a keynote address as a special guest, indicated that economic activities in the maritime environment kept rising, especially in sectors such as commercial shipping, and oil and gas.
‘These two sectors continue to grow, offering jobs and sustaining the livelihoods of many Ghanaians and key foreign nationals.’
He highlighted the need to equip personnel with the best possible training, preparing them for every conceivable s
cenario they might encounter at sea.
Mr. Nitiwul also reiterated that the facility, which would provide a realistic environment for training, would also benefit allied and partner nations by ensuring greater cooperation and interoperability in maritime security.
He commended the Danish government, UNODC, and other partners to bring the project to fruition.
Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu, Chief of the Naval Staff, in an address, explained that the edifice was a bold step in realising the vision of the Command, thereby, becoming a World Class Centre of Excellence for professional maritime training.
He said their outfit remained committed to training personnel and other maritime stakeholders with the best possible tools and skills to effectively carry out their missions.
‘This project will undoubtedly add to the list of training facilities purposed to undergird the operational capacity of the Ghana Navy, other Regional Navies, and Maritime security agencies required to enhance our ability to project force in our
maritime domain.’
Mr. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the Danish Foreign Minister, on behalf of the Government of Denmark, said they would continue to focus on regional cooperation through the formulation of national maritime strategies, harmonised standard operating procedures, joint trainings, and sea patrols.
He revealed that the Danish Government had established a similar (SIAB) project in Nigeria that would enhance the ability to intercept and investigate maritime crimes.
‘With these new facilities, Denmark is hopeful that countries in the Gulf of Guinea, as well as regional organisations will be better equipped to secure their maritime domains, ensuring free and safe navigation,’ he added.
The facility, funded under the Danish Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security Programme (DMSP), with support from the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), would also be used as a training simulator to improve the operational capacity of other maritime law enforcement officers within the West African Sub Region, especi
ally in VBSSV operations.’
The NAVTRAC, after its official commissioning in October 2020, has made some modest gains in meeting the training needs of the Ghana Navy and other sister security services.
The Naval Recruits Training School has successfully trained five batches of recruits totaling over 1620 ratings.
The school also hosted the training of about 400 Army Recruits between the latter part of 2023 and the early part of 2024.
Recently, the Command hosted induction training for officer cadets from the Ghana Military Academy.
For the past few years, the Command has become a preferred location for field exercises conducted by the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College as well as the Army Combat Training School.
Law enforcement agencies such as the Narcotics Control Commission have used the Command’s facilities to conduct training for their personnel.
Source: Ghana News Agency
