By Emmanuel Gamson
Sekondi (W/R), Aug. 22, GNA – The Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) Achimota has been flagged off to Liberia to participate in the fourth edition of the Operation Anouanze.
The operation is a vital multinational ECOWAS joint maritime operation, which takes place within the Zone F Maritime Domain of the Gulf of Guinea states including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
Member states run this combined operation annually to boost regional maritime security through an increased presence at sea while providing faster response times to deter maritime crimes.
This year’s edition, scheduled from August 24 to 27, 2026 would involve the Ghana Navy and the Côte d’Ivoire Navy who would conduct patrols alongside the Liberian Coast Guard in Liberian waters.
Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, who flagged off the GNS Achimota, during a ceremony at the Sekondi Naval Base, the ship had been thoroughly prepared and operationally ready to represent the Ghana Navy and the country in this vital operation.
According to him, the Gulf of Guinea continued to be threatened by maritime security challenges such as sea robbery, piracy, arms and drug trafficking among others, stating that most of these threats were transnational.
There was, therefore, the need for stronger international collaboration to effectively safeguard the maritime domains of member states in the Gulf of Guinea, Mr Nelson added.
He said: “Thankfully, Ghana’s maritime domain has remained relatively calm and the reason for the relative stability is because of the selfless services of our men and women in the Ghana Navy who work together with other stakeholders to keep our waters safe and secure.”
Mr Nelson urged the crew members on the GNS Achimota to maintain the highest standards of discipline, carry out their tasks with confidence and professionalism, and collaborate with their regional partners to ensure an impactful operation.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Emmanuel Gamson