The Ghana Navy has hosted two separate high-level engagements with key maritime partners, reinforcing national and international efforts to enhance security across Ghana’s maritime domain.
The Navy welcomed both the Director General (DG) of the Ghana Maritime Authority and the Commanding Officer of the Italian Ship COMANDANTE BETTICA in a significant demonstration of diplomatic and operational collaboration.
Naval Captain Kamal-Deen Ali (Rtd), Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), paid an official visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, at the Naval Headquarters. The meeting focused on strengthening operational synergy between the Navy and the GMA in the face of growing maritime security challenges.
The Ghana Navy stated that the visit “was to identify and help provide solutions to some challenges facing the Maritime Industry, thus exploring various areas of further collaboration.” Rear Admiral Bessing welcomed the engagement, underscoring the value of strategic dialogue in confronting sector-wide difficulties.
The Chief of Naval Staff praised the DG’s wealth of experience, adding that his two decades of naval service positioned him well to uplift the GMA’s role in safeguarding Ghana’s waters. He also stressed the growing need to modernise the nation’s maritime operations.
“Technology must be integrated into maritime operations to keep pace with emerging threats,” Rear Admiral Bessing advised.
The Director General, in response, congratulated the Navy Chief on his recent appointment and reaffirmed GMA’s commitment to cooperation.
“The Ghana Maritime Authority will continue to work closely with the Ghana Navy to provide safety and security to our maritime space”
Naval Captain Kamal-Deen Ali (Rtd)
Italy Strengthens Naval Cooperation
On the same day, the Commanding Officer of the Italian naval vessel COMANDANTE BETTICA, Commander Francesco Marangio, visited the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, in Tema.
Their discussions were centered on upcoming joint training exercises aimed at boosting interoperability between the two navies.
Commander Marangio, speaking during the visit, acknowledged Ghana’s strategic relevance, noting, “Italy views Ghana as a dependable security partner at both strategic and operational levels.”
“He elaborated on Italy’s commitment to expanding joint maritime capabilities and pledged continued cooperation”
Ghana Navy
The upcoming drills are set to include Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations as well as First Aid training. According to the Ghana Navy, these exercises will “enhance teamwork during naval operations and promote collaborative training to improve defence and security capabilities between the two navies.”
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi warmly received the initiative, asserting that collective security efforts are imperative in the Gulf of Guinea. “No single nation can entirely manage or secure the maritime domain alone,” he cautioned, highlighting the necessity of multinational cooperation.
The Flag Officer expressed gratitude to the Italian delegation and pledged Ghana’s full participation in the scheduled exercises. He described the training as a means to deepen mutual understanding and operational readiness on both sides.
The dual engagements reflected Ghana’s rising stature in regional maritime security as well as the Navy’s proactive stance in safeguarding national waters. With increasing concerns about piracy, illegal fishing, and maritime trafficking, both local and international partnerships are becoming central to Ghana’s defence strategy.
The Ghana Navy has consistently promoted regional cooperation and capacity-building as foundational pillars of its operations.
These back-to-back meetings signify not only the Navy’s openness to collaboration but also the broader national priority placed on maritime security under the current administration.
With the government placing emphasis on infrastructure and national defence, such partnerships underscore Ghana’s intention to remain a credible and responsive maritime actor in West Africa and beyond.
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