Tema, Nov. 14, GNA – Mr Yohane Armah Ashitey, Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), has commended the Royal Marine Corps from the United Kingdom and the British High Commission in Ghana for their support over the years.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Tema in an interview on the arrival of the Royal Marine Corps at Tema Port, Mr Yohane explained that Ghana would continue to hold in high esteem the cordial relations with the UK in all facets of the national economy.
Mr Ashitey further noted that the arrival of the British Navy could further enhance the prospects of the Ghanaian Navy through its community services to build their capacity.
He stated that Ghana has enjoyed relatively peaceful political administrations over the years, something he said had helped maintain the partnership between the two nations.
According to the Tema MCE, the UK could also take advantage of the prospects in Tema, so as to leave an enviable legacy along the coast of Tema and the West African sub-region.
Mr Ashitey noted that Tema under his tenure would be open for partnership, saying the way to develop was to strengthen relationship with developing partner.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive further called on the United Kingdom to assist the Ghana Armed Forces especially the Ghanaian Navy on surveillance, so as to protect and secure the Ghanaian coast from illegal activities.
Meanwhile Ms Harriet Clare Thompson, British High Commissioner to Ghana, has revealed that the UK was ready to assist Ghana deal with activities of pirates on the Ghanaian seas and the Gulf of Guinea.
The High Commissioner made the remark during an ocean dialogue event with some Naval Officers from Ghana and their UK counterpart the Royal Marines from 42 Commando Unit including some key stakeholders at the Tema sea port.
Ms Thompson stated that the deployment of ‘Her Majesty Ship’ (HMS) Trent to the shores of Ghana shows that the UK and Ghana security partnership was in action, adding that a mutually beneficial partnership would be built on sharing of expertise, intelligence and training.
According to the Commissioner the gesture would also strengthen the shared commitment to ensure that Ghana continued to be recognized as world-renowned peacekeepers strengthened through skills and experience of the British Armed Forces.
Ms Thompson further hinted that, activities of pirates, drug-smuggling and terrorism have some dire repercussions on the economy, saying security and prosperity was key in every developing nation.
GNA