Sekondi, March 4, GNA - Ghana Naval artisans and artisans on board USS Nashville, which has berthed at Sekondi Naval Base are rehabilitating the Emergency and Accident Ward of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital at Sekondi.

The ship is on a 19-day visit as part of the African Partnership Station (APS), an initiative to provide training and other programmes to support maritime security in Western and Central Africa. Commander Stevelo Criss of the USS Nashville on Tuesday told the press during an inspection tour at the ward that worked being undertaken included painting, electricity and water works, and fixing of tiles. He said the rehabilitation would cost 10,000 dollars to complete. Doctor Paul Kwaw Ntodi, Medical Director of the Hospital, expressed management's appreciation to the United States and Ghana Navy for assisting to renovate the hospital.

Later, the press went on board the USS Nashville and were conducted round by Lieutenant Douglas High, the Public Affairs Officer. Lieutenant High said the APS training curriculum is based on the needs of partner countries.

He said APS could help address illegal drug trafficking and piracy, among other crimes on the high seas. Lt. High said about 90 per cent of goods is transported by sea and as such, it is in everybody's interest to have safer port security and waterways.

He said oil platform security had been included in the training programme for the country because of the discovery of oil. Lt. High said so far, 160 Ghanaian Naval personnel have undergone various training since the ship arrived on February 20, this year. At a press conference on board the ship, Captain Cynthia Thebaud, Commander of APS on USS Nashville, said the primary mission of APS is to ensure maritime security and safety, and improve capability of the navy of partner countries.

She said Ghana and United States Navy have been collaborating for over 15 years and the collaboration would continue to address challenges.