Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff visits Ghana

The Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan, who is in the country for a five-day working and familiarisation visit, on Wednesday called on his Ghanaian counterpart at Burma Camp in Accra.

The Vice Admiral appointed the 16th Chief of Naval Staff on April 24, 2001 is in the country at the invitation of his Ghanaian counterpart, Rear Admiral John Gbenah.

The visit is aimed at exploring at ways the two navies, can co-operate for the mutual benefit of both countries and solidify the bonds of friendship.

After an inspection of a guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Navy, the two naval chiefs went into a closed-door meeting after which Admiral Afolayan called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. Gen. Seth Obeng.

Admiral Afolayan told the CDS that his visit was meant to find areas where both navies could collaborate and pool resources for the benefit of both countries. He said the Nigerian navy was looking forward to joint training exercises through which unity could be built and fostered.

Admiral Afolayan assured General Obeng that the Nigerian fleet would be prepared to collaborate with the Ghana Navy in holding the joint exercises.

He said Nigeria had good facilities for ship maintenance, which Ghana could also utilize rather than sending her ships to Europe, stressing that it was time the military in the sub-region did things for themselves and co-operated to maximize such advantages rather than depend on the developed countries for help.

"In the interest of our unity, we need to forge ahead together and look at what is available for our mutual benefit." Gen. Obeng said collaboration should not be with the Navy alone, but with all arms of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He also called for joint training exercise, which, he said, would be beneficial to both countries as both had something to learn from each other.

The Nigerian CNS also visited the Military Academy and Training School and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, where he held closed-door meeting with the various Commandants.

He is scheduled to visit the Western Naval Command at Takoradi and the Northern Command Headquarters in Kumasi before calling on the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on Friday and visiting the Ashanti Goldfields.