A five-day training programme for 130 personnel of the Western Naval Command on Tuesday opened on board United States Ship (USS), Fort McHenry, at Takoradi. The programme covered maintenance and logistics management, security and medical training. The facilitators include United States and Ghana navy personnel. Speaking to the press about the programme US Naval Captain John Nowell said it formed part of the Africa Partnership Station (APS), a United States initiative to support regional maritime security and safety in West and Central Africa. He said APS was a floating continuing education and training facility located on USS Fort McHenry aimed at increasing African maritime capabilities and capacity. Naval Captain Nowell, who is in-charge of APS, said the goal of APS was to impart skills to African navies to enable them patrol and maintain their own exclusive economic zones in terms of maritime safety and security, to stop illegal and unregulated fishing and to reduce smuggling. He said APS had a staff representing the navies of eight European, African and North American countries. Naval Captain Nowell said the APS would visit ports in Senegal, Liberia, Cameroon, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe and other African countries to conduct training, complete humanitarian projects and build partnership among participating nations. Commander Sam Walker of the Ghana Navy, who is a Planning Officer on the APS staff, said the training would enrich the expertise of the participants.Source: GNA