Mr Mark Owen Woyongo, Minister of Defence, has lauded the Ghana Navy for its meritorious work which had led to it being adjudged the Best Performing Navy in West Africa for 2013 by the Security Watch Africa Magazine.

He said the Ghanaian coast had become an island of stability in the turbulent Gulf of Guinea maritime domain, which had earned it the respect of all interested in maritime issues.

Mr Woyongo said this on Friday during a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of phase two of the Naval Headquarters.

The project, when completed, would have a Command Block, Administration Block, Operations and Supply Block, a Library, a Technical Office, a Museum, Conference Rooms, Cafeteria and other ancillary facilities.

He commended the Navy for the arrest of MV Mustard which was found to have been used to siphon fuel off MV Cotton, a ship that had been hijacked off the coast of Gabon, and another ship which was found to contain over 400 kilogrammes of cocaine.

He added that due to the diligent work by the Ghana Navy, the coast of Ghana had not witnessed a single pirate attack throughout the year making the country a safe haven for ships waiting to go to ports in neighbouring countries.

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Rear Admiral Geoffrey Mawuli Biekro said a blue-print for the construction of a new office complex was produced in 1996.

He expressed appreciation to private organisations and individuals for coming to the aid of the Ghana Navy by helping them with funds and building materials to now continue with the construction of the office complex.

He said the Navy recognised the heavy responsibility upon its shoulders and the expectations of the country and pledged their readiness to ensure safety and security of all vital national assets at sea.

He commended Government for its commitment to the Navy despite limited resources, citing the acquisition of ships in recent years, the upgrading of the Navy’s workshop at Sekondi and other planned acquisitions that had received the Government’s approval.