The patrol ship arrived around 0930 hours Monday morning with 11 officers and 81 crew members after leaving Senegal in a four month deployment mission to the West Africa Region.

Lieutenant Commander Juan Carlos Prada Pardal, Commanding Officer of the “Infanta Cristina” vessel and his crew were received by Commodore Isaac Osei-Kufour, Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command.

Lt Commander Pardal said maritime security had become one key area for peace and stability in the sub Region and that their mission was to help improve friendship and training on maritime security.

The aim of the deployment was therefore to carry out cooperation missions with the coastal countries within the framework of Defense Diplomacy Plan for the development of their naval capabilities, contribute to maritime safety and regional stability, he said.

Lt Commander Pardal said though the “Infanta Cristina” was commissioned in November 1980 as fourth class corvette, which participated in the national and NATO exercises, she was transformed to perform its current role as patrol ship and now belong to the Maritime Action Force unit with her home port as Cartegena.

The patrol vessel according to him, had participated in several deployments including the Atalanta operations in European Maritime Force and UNIFIL operations in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

"Currently, the patrol vessel carries out surveillance and security mission over maritime seas, sovereignty spaces, fight against illegal drug trafficking, immigration and protection of archaeological submarine heritage among multiple commitments ".

The vessel would be around for one-week.

The team later paid a courtesy call on the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr. Anthony K. K. Sam and the Paramount Chief of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsia V. Welcoming the team, Mr Sam encouraged them to share their expertise with the Ghana Navy.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V stressed the need to bring the world closer to each other in cooperation, respect and dignity.