Ghana starts work on western naval base

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo attended a ceremony to mark the start of construction of a new naval base in the Western Region on 16 December, in the process revealing more details about his country’s plans to improve its maritime security.

A still from a video released by the presidency of Ghana shows the plan for the new Ezinlibo base. (Presidency of the Republic of Ghana)

In his speech at Ezinlibo, Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana’s oil production had increased to more than 200,000 barrels per day and is expected to more than double in the next four years. “It is evident that huge capital investments in this nascent offshore oil and gas industry come with attendant security challenges and should thus be jealously protected. Today, piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea continue to pose significant threats to national and regional maritime activities,” he said.

The Ministry of Defence consequently devised a plan to establish new forward operating bases in Ezinlibo, Keta in the Volta Region, and Winneba and Elmina in the Central Region, he said. As part of this plan, Ghana has also contracted a company called Hawkmoor to provide six Phantom patrol boats and provide “equipment to enhance operational efficiency of the [Ezinlibo] base”.

“When completed, the base will serve as an advanced military operational location from where the security of our offshore oilfields Ten, Sankofa, and Jubilee can be co-ordinated and maintained,” the president said. It will include a jetty that is protected by a breakwater, as well accommodation for 150 personnel.