United States donates boats and storage facility to strengthen Ghana navy

At a ceremony held on Friday, the United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer, handed over two 38-foot DEFENDER Class Safe Boats and a newly constructed boat storage facility to the Ghana Navy at their Training Command (NAVTRAC) in the Volta Region. 

This donation, valued at over GH₵24million ($1.5 million), is part of the ongoing efforts to bolster Ghana’s maritime security.

The boats will enhance the Ghana Navy's ability to patrol and safeguard its territorial waters. 

These are in addition to two similar vessels delivered last summer to the Navy's Special Boat Squadron. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Palmer highlighted the importance of the partnership between the U.S. and Ghana, stating, "The United States takes immense pride in our long-standing partnership with Ghana, a partnership rooted in shared commitments to security, democracy, and prosperity. This ceremony is more than just a handover; it symbolizes our joint efforts to ensure the Ghana Navy is well-equipped to safeguard its waters and sustain these critical assets."

The newly constructed boat storage facility was built by Seabees from the U.S. Navy’s 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, working alongside Marines from the Hershel Woody Williams Marine Detachment Engineer Platoon.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu, and senior officers from the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Armed Forces were present at the event.