Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), has charged the leadership of the Ghana Navy to work assiduously towards achieving a Navy that is robust, mission-ready, strategically indispensable, and globally respected.

He was speaking at the opening of the Chief of the Naval Staff’s Officers of Flag Rank Annual Conference, held at Essipong, in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region.

It was on the theme: “Building a Resilient, Adaptive and Globally Responsive Maritime Force: The Navy We Want by 2030.”

Rear Admiral Bessing said the theme for the conference embodied his vision for the Ghana Navy, and a pledge to build a credible maritime force that was operationally robust, mission-ready, and armed with deterrence sufficient to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ghana.

He said: “We must float, move, and fight together as one ship’s company, maximising synergy to realise this vision.”

According to the CNS, Ghana no longer commanded the strength and prestige that once made it a natural leader during ECOMOG operations.

“More than three decades have passed since our fleet played a decisive role in shaping the future of West Africa. Then, we did not merely participate; we led.

“Today, however, I must admit with concern that the Ghana Navy cannot replicate what it achieved in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Nigeria has surged ahead, Senegal has risen with new acquisitions, and Côte d’Ivoire is making steady gains,” he stated.

Rear Admiral Bessing noted that the progress of Ghana’s counterparts was not by chance, but a commitment, saying the Navy they aspired to achieve by 2030 demanded commitment and investment, political will, strategic choice, and sacrifice even amidst competing national priorities.

The CNS said as part of efforts to retool the Navy, the acquisition of two 72-metre Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) had been captured in the 2026 Budget, and that steps towards their construction were expected to commence this year.

He said beyond the OPVs, plans would also be initiated to acquire four Fast Patrol Boats to replace decommissioned ships.

Rear Admiral Bessing said achieving the vision 2030 for the Ghana Navy would not come by chance, and asked participants at the conference to contribute to build a resilient, adaptive, and globally responsive maritime force that Ghana truly deserved.

Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf said the Ghana Navy, through its vigilance and professionalism, had remained a vital force in ensuring maritime security, protecting vital national assets, and promoting safety on the waters.

He, therefore, commended the CNS and the personnel of the Ghana Navy for their unwavering dedication, discipline, and selfless sacrifices in the service of the nation.

“Your efforts in combating piracy, illegal fishing, maritime pollution, and other transnational maritime threats have not gone unnoticed, and indeed, your work directly supports national development and investor confidence, particularly here in the Western Region,” he noted.

According to him, the government recognised that modern maritime threats were complex and evolving, and remained committed to supporting the Ghana Armed Forces, including the Navy, through policy direction, retooling, infrastructure development, and logistical support.

Mr Nelson said at the Regional Security Council level, they looked forward to deepening collaboration with the Western Naval Command to enhance coastal security, protect livelihoods, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.