President Akufo-Addo over the weekend commissioned five more boats for the Ghana Navy Fleet and an oil spill response vessel for the Ghana Maritime Authority.

The last time the President was at the Sekondi Naval Base which was in February 2022, he commissioned four offshore security vessels for use by the Navy.

He said the new Navy fleet was a further manifestation of the commitment of his Government to retool and re-equip the Ghana Armed Forces to enable them perform their duty of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.

Nana Akufo-Addo stated that he is committed to resourcing the Navy and the other relevant agencies in the maritime sector to guarantee the sustainable exploitation of the benefits our ocean offers.

As a developing country, he indicated that the country’s ability to industrialise will determine how fast we can advance economically and technologically. To this end, he applauded the team from the Ghana Navy who have built Ghana’s first indigenous landing craft. The NAVDOCK 1, which measures 11.5 metres in length, is designed to carry 30 personnel and one ton of cargo.

He said their effort embodies the ingenuity, determination and can-do spirit of the Ghanaian people.

The President disclosed he has been informed that the Ministry of Fisheries and the Naval Shipyard are partnering with some private actors to replace the wooden canoes, used for fishing, with improved aluminium boats.

He expressed hope that, in time, such collaboration will help develop Ghana’s shipbuilding industry, and offer jobs to the youth, while mitigating the environmental impact of wooden canoes.