Belgium Naval Vessel docks at Tema Port

A Belgium Naval Ship, A960 Godetia, on Friday berthed at the Shed 10 of the Tema Harbour, en-route to Togo, to train officers under the Africa Partnership Station (APS) Programme.

The 91.8-meter long ship sailed into the country from Cotonou-Benin, after engaging in military partnership training with Senegal, Cameroon and Gabon.

It also off-loaded humanitarian goods in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Command and Logistic Supply Ship, which would leave the Tema Harbour on Monday, docked at Ghana’s largest harbour to enable the 90-crew-member take an Easter break.

It was also to offer the crew the opportunity to strengthen bilateral relationship with the people of Ghana.

Briefing the Press on Saturday at the Tema Harbour, Commander Jan Dujardin, Officer in charge of the Vessel, said the Belgium Navy has been assigned the duty of periodically training Navy Officers in Francophone countries in Africa, under the APS Programme, due to language issues.

Commander Dujardin explained that APS was a U.S. Navy-led programme, aimed at strengthening emerging partnerships in West and Central Africa, to increase Regional and Maritime Safety and Security.

He said the practical training offered by APS will equip African Naval Officers with skills to prevent and fight against drug and human trafficking, piracy, theft of oil and fisheries problems.

According to him, though African Naval Officers have a good theoretical base, they lacked the practical training, adding that the APS Programme was very necessary in that direction.

Source: GNA