The United States Navy ship USS Herschel ‘Woody’ Williams has arrived in the country and is currently anchored in Tema Harbor.
The port call aims to strengthen the partnership between the two countries, which aims to work together towards stability, security and prosperity in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa region.
The 784-foot ship, which arrived last Tuesday, is optimized to support a variety of maritime missions and is designed around four core capabilities. This was held in Ghana as part of the 2nd African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and African Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium (NILS-A) held in Ghana from 30th April to 2nd May 2024. Ta.
The symposium was attended by government and military leaders from more than 40 countries on four continents, including Europe.
Daibang Game Express 2024
While in Ghana, USS Woody Williams and her crew will participate in the week-long military exercise Obangame Express 2024, West Africa’s largest naval maritime exercise, along the Gulf of Guinea.
USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, warship
The military exercises at sea are aimed at a way for participating countries to work together to combat piracy and other illegal maritime activities, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
USS Herschel “Woody” Williams is the first U.S. Navy ship assigned to the U.S. Africa Command area of operations to carry out missions in cooperation with regional partners in the Mediterranean Sea and waters around East, South, and West Africa.
partnership
After touring the ship, Ambassador Robert Scott, Deputy Commander, Civil-Military Liaison, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), interacted with journalists at Tema Port, expressing his satisfaction with the partnership with Africa and other participating countries at the symposium. He said there was. Learn about maritime security.
He said with more than 90% of world trade taking place at sea, it was important for countries to work together to address the growing risks of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy and illegal trade. Stated.
He commended the countries along the Gulf of Guinea and their East African counterparts for establishing the Yaoundé and Djibouti Codes of Conduct aimed at preventing and suppressing piracy, armed robbery of ships and illegal maritime activities. , added that such interventions contributed to community development. Strengthen maritime security in African coastal waters.
Regarding the challenges, Ambassador Scott said that one of the many strategies the United States has proposed under such a partnership is that many navies along the Gulf of Guinea face limited resources for maritime security. said it was the development and introduction of new technologies to prevent crime and improve public safety. Naval performance at sea.
The Prime Minister commended the leadership role of the Ghana Navy and forged strategic relationships through the provision of additional capabilities, as evidenced by the recent $6.4 million funding to expand the offshore capabilities of the Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron. Ghana has committed to this initiative.