USS Simpson FFG 56 at anchor at the Tema Port Inset: Commander Leonard Milliken, Simpson Commanding Officer addressing the media.
Commander Leonard Milliken of the United States of America (USA) Navy has praised the Ghana Navy for exhibiting professionalism in its defence of the territorial waters of Ghana.
Welcoming a media group in Tema aboard USS Simpson FFG 56, a US Navy ship, which docked at the Tema port as part of its Africa Partnership Station (APS) port visit, Commander Milliken commended the Ghana Navy for holding practical training programmes for the personnel.
Explaining the reason behind the visit to Ghana, Cdr Milliken told the media that USS Simpson FFG 56 arrived in Ghana on February 18, 2012 to begin its APS 2012 Ghanaian hub, stating that he was happy to work with professionals from the Ghana Navy.
The hub, according to the Commanding officer, which took place after a recent port visit to Nigeria, offered training designed for more than 40 maritime professionals from Ghana Navy as well as 10 ship riders from partner nations including Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, Republic of Congo and Togo to strengthen maritime safety and security.
“Simpson provides ASP with a platform to give hands-on experience in a maritime working environment,” Commanding officer Milliken remarked.
He added that the hub offered an opportunity to him and his crew to build relationships, share knowledge with Ghanaian partners and show off their ships.
Hub participants, according to him, will attend basic first aid and basic damage control on board Simpson.
Continuing he mentioned that the training promotes APS’s objectives of strengthening maritime professionals and developing response capabilities while encouraging regional integration.
Commanding Officer Milliken said since his arrival in Ghana he has made official calls to leaders in Tema including the Operations Officer of the Ghanaian Navy Base Command, Cmdr. Emmanuel Kwafo, Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku II and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly’s Chief Executive, Robert Kempes Ofosi-Ware.
Commander Milliken and his crew made a trip to nearby Akosombo to embark on cruise on the largest man-made lake and Kakum National Park where they had the opportunity to observe the rain forest from a canopy walk.
A soccer friendly took place between the Ghana Navy and the Simpson’s sailors, which was aimed at enhancing and enriching the APS training.
The match ended 3-2 in favour of the Ghanaian side.
From Razak Mardorgyz Abubakar, Tema
