The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, has paid a courtesy visit to the new Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, to discuss pressing issues in the sector and congratulate her on her new role.
During the meeting, the Naval Chief highlighted the condition of the GNS Achimota, Ghana’s largest and most advanced naval patrol vessel.
He emphasized the need for urgent intervention to ensure the vessel returns to sea for active patrol duties.
About the GNS Achimota
Commissioned: December 23, 2024, at the Sekondi Naval Base
Purpose: Part of Ghana’s efforts to modernize its naval fleet and enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea
Specifications:
Length: 65.4 meters
Weight: 499 gross tons
Built in 1999 by Kurinoura Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in Japan
Engine: Single-screw fixed pitch propeller diesel engine, suitable for deep-sea operations
Features: Advanced navigation, communication, and surveillance systems
Historic Maiden Voyage
Under Commander Joshua Joy MacSimpiney, the Achimota sailed from Yawatahama Port, Japan, on October 18, 2024. The 36-day journey covered 10,869.7 nautical miles, crossing the equator twice—once in the Indian Ocean and again in the Atlantic—setting a record for the longest passage in the Ghana Navy’s history.
Operational Duties
Maritime Security: Patrolling Ghanaian waters to counter piracy, smuggling, and other maritime threats
Fisheries Protection: Enforcing laws to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
Training: Serving as a platform for training naval officers and ratings
Rear Admiral Bessing was accompanied by Commodore Francis Nyarko, the National Coordinator of the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU).
Key Issues Raised by the Minister
Emelia Arthur outlined several top priorities, including:
Strengthening enforcement of fisheries laws
Securing additional patrol boats to extend offshore surveillance
Collaborating with the EU to lift the yellow card on Ghana
Tackling illegal fishing practices
Suspending licenses of four offending fishing vessels
The meeting underscored the importance of cross-agency collaboration to protect Ghana’s marine resources and ensure the sustainability of its fisheries sector.
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