Denmark presents full mission bridge simulator to Ghana Navy
A full mission bridge simulator was commissioned at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) at Nutekpor in the South Tongu District in the Volta Region last Monday.
The facility was co-funded by the Republic of Ghana and the Danish Government at a total cost of about $1.70 million.
Ghana provided the infrastructure to house the simulator and associated equipment, while Denmark provided the funds for procuring the technology.
The Lill-May Didriksen Simulation Centre is meant to equip personnel of the Ghana Navy with the practical skills, confidence and experience necessary to operate at the highest standards at sea and during emergencies.
It has a 270-degree full mission bridge, three 120-degree part-task simulators, two instructor stations, a briefing room and offices for instructors.
The Legal Counsel to the President, Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew, who commissioned it, expressed gratitude to the Danish Government for its unwavering support in the development of the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Armed Forces as a whole.
She said there was ample evidence pointing to Denmark as Ghana’s trusted and invaluable partner in the strengthening of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, which was a vital maritime corridor accounting for a significant portion of global trade.
Maritime crime
For years, Ms Brew said the region faced challenges from piracy and other maritime crimes and safety concerns.
“Through collective international efforts, bolstered by contributions from partners such as the Danish Government, we have witnessed a dramatic improvement in recent years,” she added.
The Legal Counsel to the President said that achievement hinged on the continuous advancement in capacity-building of the maritime forces where training remained a cornerstone of maritime security and efficiency.
She said the Lill-May Didriksen Simulation Centre exemplified the future of practical training, offering advanced systems that replicated real-world scenarios in a controlled safe environment.
“This simulation centre is not just a training facility for the Ghana Navy alone; it is a gateway to excellence, equipping seafarers with the knowledge and expertise required to excel in a fast-evolving industry,” the guest of honour said.
Partnership
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, said the facility highlighted the exceptional partnership between Ghana and Denmark.
He said the simulator, arguably the most sophisticated in the ECOWAS sub-region, would significantly enhance the training programmes of the Ghana Navy and enable personnel to master complex navigation and operational scenarios in a secured and well-ordered setting.
The Flag Officer Commanding NAVTRAC, Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, said the simulation centre reinforced the Ghana Navy’s commitment to operational excellence, safety and readiness.
The Deputy Chief of the Royal Danish Navy, Commodore Bo Overgaard, said Ghana and Denmark shared a strong interest in ensuring freedom of navigation and security on the seas.
He said Ghana’s firm and continuous stance to combat maritime crime and ensure safety in the Gulf of Guinea was crucial, not only for the mutual interest of the two countries but also for the stability of global trade routes.