EU HANDS OVER BOATS TO GHANA NAVY
The European Union (EU), through its Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) Programme, has handed over two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) to the Ghana Navy following the successful completion of a two-week Boat Operators Training Course at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Nutekpor, on Tuesday 4 August 2026.
The training, conducted by instructors from the Portuguese Navy under the EU SWAIMS Programme, equipped Ghana Navy personnel with practical skills in boat handling, navigation, seamanship, maritime safety and operational procedures to enhance maritime security operations.
Welcoming participants and guests, the Training Coordinator of NAVTRAC, Naval Captain David Dela Kpetigo, expressed appreciation to the European Union and its partners for their continued investment in maritime capacity building.
He noted that the training and donation reflected the strong partnership between NAVTRAC and the EU SWAIMS Programme in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Ghana Navy.
The General Coordinator of the EU SWAIMS Programme, Commodore Antonio Neves Rodrigues, commended participants for their dedication throughout the training and reaffirmed the Programme’s commitment to enhancing maritime security across the Gulf of Guinea.
He said the donation underscored the European Union’s resolve to strengthen the operational capacity of partner nations in combating piracy, armed robbery at sea, illegal fishing, trafficking and other transnational maritime crimes.
The Representative of the European Union, Madam Gisela Spreitzhofer, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to promoting sustainable maritime security and regional cooperation in West Africa.
She noted that safe and secure maritime spaces are essential for economic growth, trade and regional stability, adding that the EU would continue to support Ghana and other coastal states in building resilient maritime institutions.
The Guest of Honour and Flag Officer Commanding NAVTRAC, Commodore James Adongo Agambire, expressed appreciation to the European Union, the EU SWAIMS Programme and the Portuguese Navy for their continuous support to the Ghana Navy.
He described the training and donation as a significant boost to the Navy’s operational and training capabilities, stressing that the boats would enhance maritime operations, practical training and the protection of Ghana’s maritime domain.
Receiving the boats on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore Agambire assured the European Union that the equipment would be properly maintained and effectively utilised for its intended purpose. He reaffirmed the Ghana Navy’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the EU SWAIMS Programme.
The ceremony ended with the formal handover of the boats, presentation of certificates to participants who successfully completed the Boat Operators Training Course and a demonstration of the operational capabilities of the newly acquired boats.
Source : GAF
