The newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie says the discovery of oil offshore in Ghana has changed the maritime security dynamics. This was contained in a statement issued by the Ghana Navy on Monday.
The statement said the Navy was facing challenges such as maritime security threats and a depleted fleet shore for operations, the reasons for which government supported the Navy to attain four ships built by China, two Warrior-class ships from Germany and a fast Attack Craft donated by South Korea. ‘The fleet of the Navy has since increased to fourteen’, the statement added.
Vice Admiral Quashie, who was the former Chief of the Naval Staff stated this when he delivered his farewell message at the Handing Over ceremony organized at the Navy Headquarters.
The statement quoted Vice Amiral Quashie as saying, ‘There was much wealth to be derived from the sea, thus we should effectively create a safe maritime domain to enable stakeholders to conduct their business in a sound environment.’
He, however, thanked the government for investing into the Navy and promised Ghanaians that the assets attained would be used to provide protection on the newly discovered resources at sea.
He advised the Staff of Naval Headquarters and personnel of the service to ensure discipline always to maintain the image of the Ghana Armed Forces.