The Ghana Navy is establishing a strong presence in Keta in the Volta Region to effectively secure the country’s coastline and neutralize any maritime threats – piracy, armed robberies, drug trafficking and smuggling among others.
It is setting up a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Vodza, Keta.
A swathe of land had already been acquired to erect the required infrastructure. This comes as seas off West Africa’s oil-rich coastline become increasingly dangerous for shipping because of the activities of the growing pirates.
Unlike pirates along Somalia’s coast, who normally are after money – ransom, pirates in West Africa steal goods, especially oil and they end up killing and hurting crew members.
A naval delegation led by Naval Captain Samuel Ayelazoo has held discussions with the Keta Municipal Assembly and the traditional authorities on the project.
Naval Capt. Ayelazoo said the goal was to strengthen the capabilities of the Ghana Navy to better protect the country’s territorial sea and deal with any threats.
The Ghana Navy has a naval ship called Keta and the establishment of the Forward Operating Base would go to strengthen the relationship between Keta and the country’s naval force. Naval Capt.
Ayelazoo said they found it refreshing that the people in the area were being kept adequately informed about the project.
The Keta Municipal Chief (MCE), Emmanuel Gemegah, said the municipal assembly, the chiefs and people would give every needed support to the project.
The people in the area depend on the sea (fishing) for their livelihood and there could not be any doubt that the presence of the Ghana Navy would significantly help to bring down illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.
Added to this was the vital importance of the naval force to the planned Keta Port project.
The country’s security agencies have been working earnestly to secure the land against threats.
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