Ghana-South African Navy to cooperate

Accra, Feb. 12, GNA - Defence Minister Kwame Addo Kufuor on Thursday called on the South African Navy to help train their Ghanaian counterpart to further enhance existing relations between the two countries.

He appealed to the South African Navy, which is one of the most modern navies in Africa in terms of armament, equipment and expertise, to help dredge the Takoradi Naval base, which was established in 1969. Dr Addo Kufuor made the appeal when the visiting South African Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Johannes Mudimu called on him at his Office at Burma Camp in Accra.

Rear Admiral Mudimu is on a four-day familiarisation visit to Ghana to explore areas of mutual interest to the Navy of both countries. Dr Addo Kufuor told the South African Naval Chief that Ghana had a fruitful relation with that country and would explore all avenues to strengthen it.

He said currently South Africa was helping with the training of Ghanaian officers and expressed satisfaction on the level of training. Rear Admiral Mudimu announced that his country was in the process of acquiring four sub-marines, and that South Africa was hoping to share their resources with Ghana.

He said that he was looking to a beneficial cooperation between both the Ghanaian and South African Navy.

The South African Naval Chief had earlier called on the Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Seth Obeng and his Ghanaian counterpart, Rear Admiral John Gbenah.

Mrs Nokukhanya Matshikiro, the First Secretary of the South African High Commission in Ghana accompanied him.

He is expected to visit the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre, the Ghana Military Academy, the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, the Regional Maritime Academy and the Takoradi Naval Base.