By Jones Anlimah
The Ghana Naval Training Command at Nutekpor in the South Tongu District of the Volta region has taken a delivery of state-of-the-art Ship-in-a-Box (SIAB) simulator facility.
The advanced training tool is designed to enhance and support Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations, and provide critical training for military and civilian maritime law enforcement personnel across the ECOWAS Zone F region and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Inaugurating the $1.2 million facility, the minister for Defence Mr. Dominic Nitiwul said the facility is a significant boost to the operational capabilities of the Ghana Navy and other maritime agencies in the sub region.
Piracy and other maritime crimes in the ECOWAS sub-region severely undermine economic stability, disrupt trade, and threaten the safety of maritime routes, which are vital for the region’s economy. They also pose significant risks to the security and livelihoods of coastal communities.
The new Ship-in-a-Box (SIAB) simulator facility is therefore expected to help address these challenges by providing advanced and realistic training for military and law enforcement personnel, enhance their ability to conduct effective maritime security operations and combat illegal activities in the region’s waters.
The state of the art facility estimated at 1.2 million dollars is funded by the Danish government through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The SIAB simulator is expected to play a pivotal role in improving maritime security, particularly in the fight against piracy, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes in West African waters.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Ghana, Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, expressed his appreciation to the Danish Government for the facility and highlighted its importance in enhancing the Navy’s operational readiness. “I assure you the ultimate use of this facility. And I’m confident that the results of this project together with the other projects, will manifest in a safe and secure maritime domain where maritime commerce thrives and that people are free to ply their trade at sea.”
The Minister for Danish Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, emphasized Denmark’s commitment to supporting maritime security in West Africa. “With these new facilities, Denmark is hopeful that countries on the Gulf of Guinea as well as regional organizations. Will be better equipped to secure the maritime domains ensuring free and safe navigation”, he remarked.
The minister for defence Mrs Dominic Nitiwul said the facility is a testament to the strong ties between Ghana and Denmark, as well as shared commitment to ensure peace and security in water bodies across the sub region. “The threats we face today from piracy and drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal fishing and terrorism among others demand that we equip our personnel with the best possible training, preparing them for every conceivable scenario, they might encounter at sea.”, Mr Nitiwul said.
He added “This ship in a box is more than just a training simulator? It’s a symbol of our commitment to excellence. And our dedication to protecting our maritime interests.”
The inaugurated SIAB facility is expected to be used in training programs immediately, with personnel from various maritime agencies across the region scheduled to undergo rigorous VBSS training in the coming months.
