On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Brigadier General Shawn Holtz, the Deputy Director for Plans and Strategic Integration (J5) at United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), paid a working visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Ghana Navy, Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, at the Naval Headquarters. This visit marked a significant step in strengthening the partnership between US AFRICOM and the Ghana Navy.
The discussions during the meeting centered on enhancing the existing collaboration in areas such as training, logistics, and intelligence-sharing. Both parties explored new avenues to bolster maritime security and counter-piracy efforts, which are critical for maintaining stability in the region.
Rear Admiral Yakubu reaffirmed the Ghana Navy’s commitment to deepening security cooperation with the United States. He emphasized the importance of joint efforts to tackle the evolving security challenges in the region. The CNS highlighted the crucial role of ensuring freedom of navigation within the Gulf of Guinea, which is vital for regional security and global trade. He assured Brigadier General Holtz of the Ghana Navy’s unwavering dedication to achieving regional security objectives through continuous collaboration.
Brigadier General Holtz expressed his appreciation for the ongoing partnership and underscored the necessity of strengthening regional security through cooperation and capacity building. He commended the Ghana Navy for its efforts in maintaining maritime stability in the Gulf of Guinea, recognizing their significant contributions to regional peace and security.
This meeting signifies a deepening of the strategic partnership between the Ghana Navy and US AFRICOM, aimed at enhancing maritime security and addressing the complex security challenges in the region. Both parties remain committed to working together to ensure a secure and stable maritime environment in the Gulf of Guinea.