GHANA NAVY AND ITALY DEEPEN DEFENCE COOPERATION

Ghana Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defence cooperation with Italy to enhance maritime security, strengthen operational capabilities, and promote stability in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Acting Chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore Ben Baba Abdul, received the Italy’s Defence Attaché (DA) to Abuja with oversight responsibility to Ghana, Colonel Antonio Di Biaso, during a courtesy visit paid on Wednesday 23 September 2026 at the Naval Headquarters.

Commodore Abdul highlighted the economic importance of the Gulf of Guinea, pointing to its rich hydrocarbon resources, marine biodiversity, and contribution to food security. He said protecting these resources required stronger international partnerships, including joint naval exercises, personnel exchanges, capacity-building programmes, and timely intelligence sharing to address emerging maritime threats.

He also called for increased technical cooperation in specialised maritime fields. Among the areas identified were the upgrading of the Ghana Navy’s Hydrographic Unit, as well as collaboration in oceanography, meteorology, hydrographic surveying, information technology, and cybersecurity.

Colonel Di Biaso said his visit was aimed at strengthening existing defence agreements and to explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries. He reaffirmed Italy’s readiness to support the Ghana Navy through joint training, technical assistance, and the sharing of defence technology.

The DA further noted Italy’s strategic interest in maintaining safe and open sea lanes along the West African coast, assuring the Ghana Navy of the Italian Armed Forces’ commitment to sustained professional exchanges and cooperation in addressing shared maritime security challenges.

Story by: Tracy Dery

Pictures by: Alfred Laryea