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The Ambassador of Spain to Ghana, Ángel Lossada, has emphasised the importance of global cooperation to address pressing issues, including maritime security and climate change.
He also highlighted the inter-connectedness of the world, stressing that “no state can tackle global security challenges alone.”
Ambassador Lossada made the points during a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, in Takoradi on Tuesday.
His visit followed a stopover of a Spanish Naval Warship “Relámpago” at Western Naval Command, Sekondi, where he engaged with local leaders and naval officials to discuss areas of cooperation in Ghana’s Western Region, to enhance maritime security and provide technical support.
Ambassador Lossada stressed on capacity building through training and knowledge sharing to strengthen Ghana’s naval capabilities.
Currently, as part of global maritime security efforts, the Spanish Navy had deployed a patrol warship, ESPS Meteoro, to the Gulf of Guinea to enhance maritime security along the West Africa region.
The Spanish Ambassador explained that, the visit highlighted the growing partnership between the Ghana Navy and the Spanish Navy, saying that, efforts should be made to safeguard near-port and coastal areas from potential threats.
He stated that Spain needed to understand the ongoing Petroleum Hub Project at Jomoro, focusing on maritime protection areas, security, and surveillance, hence the “Relámpago’s” deployment to support maritime security in West Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.
Moreover, Mr Lossada said: “We are neighbours, we are having the same borders, the same problems. The world today is not a world of isolated states. The world today is a globalised world and all countries move together in addressing big issues, big global issues from security to climate change.
On his part, the Western Regional Minister lauded the support of the Spanish government to the region, and called for such cooperation to continue.
“Let me mention the scholarship that your country has offered and continues to do for our students at the Takoradi Technical University and the training you are seeking to provide for the Petroleum Hub which is a very important facility in this region and then also the cooperation between our naval forces,“ Mr Nelson stated.
He added that the cooperation between the two countries was very refreshing and important to Ghana.
