This would among others include the deployment of un­manned systems, such as drones acquired through the Ghana Boundary Commission for mari­time patrols.

This was revealed yesterday at the launch of its 65th anniversary celebrations held in Accra.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu, said the adoption of the technology which is expected to be fully operational by the end of August, 2024, was necessary to boost operations of the Ghana Navy.

Rear Admiral Yakubu noted improvement in the intangible aspects of the Navy’s evolution, particularly in leadership culture, saying inclusive governance had ensured continuity in the com­mand’s execution of projects, with minor adjustments.

According to him, capacity building has also been prioritised, with increased professional train­ing both locally and internation­ally, and the affiliation of Navy schools with tertiary institutions further bolstering this effort.

Expressing gratitude to his pre­decessors, Rear Admiral Yakubu said, “I am determined to build on their legacy, and I am happy to say the future looks bright.”

He also revealed plans for a 65-meter fisheries patrol vessel, which would be the largest in the Navy’s inventory, coinciding with the Navy’s 65th anniversary.

This vessel, although not new, he said, was in good condition and would help ensure presence in Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Rear Admiral Yakubu men­tioned that a team has been formed to bring the ship to Gha­na by the end of the year once documentation is completed.

Additionally, he announced that phase one of the much-anticipat­ed naval base at Enzihbo, in the Western North Region, would be commissioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo before the end of the year.

When completed, the Enzihbo base Rear Admiral Yakubu said would be the biggest in the coun­try and commended all staff of the Ghana Navy for their various roles.

“As we celebrate our 65 years of existence, let us put our shoul­ders to the wheel to chart a course for our common good. I assure you of my utmost best to see to your welfare,” he said.

Rear Admiral Yakubu expressed confidence that with the support of the military high command, the government, and the commitment of the Navy personnel, his outfit would be able to maintain a mod­ern and robust naval force, capa­ble of defending Ghana against seaborne threats, and ensuring maritime security for the develop­ment of the blue economy.