Ghana Hones its Maritime Mettle at Exercise Sea Lion 2024

ADF STAFF

The Ghana Armed Forces in March participated in Exercise Sea Lion 2024, a timely weeklong maritime security exercise designed to sharpen the nation’s maritime security skills.

Ghana’s Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Peprah, said in opening remarks that the exercise aims to build the interoperability for future operations against ongoing security threats such as piracy and terrorism.

“The recent spate of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and other transnational crimes at sea has made it imperative for the Ghana Navy to test its operational readiness and resilience in confronting these criminals,” Peprah said.

There were 22 piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea in 2023, up slightly from 19 in 2022, but down from 35 in 2021 and 81 in 2020, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). Officials reported six piracy incidents in the first quarter of 2024 compared to five in the same period of 2023.

“While we welcome the reduction of incidents, piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea remains a threat,” IMB Director Michael Howlett said in a bureau report. “Continued and robust regional and international naval presence to respond to these incidents and to safeguard life at sea is crucial.”

The exercise included at-sea fleet maneuvers, joint exercises to enhance interoperability, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations.

The Ghana Army’s Special Operations Brigade, the Ghana Navy’s Special Boat Squadron and the Ghana Air Force’s fighter squadron participated in a simulated exercise based on a scenario in which a regional minister and his family were kidnapped by terrorists and held hostage in their house before being rescued at sea.

During the exercise, Ghanaian Navy ships Volta and Ankobra sailed alongside the United States Navy ship USS Hershel “Woody” Williams to the equator, a century-old tradition known as “crossing the line.”

“Crossing the equator at the center of the earth is not only a nautical feat but also a symbolic moment of unity, as we transcend boundaries and enter new horizons together,” said Ghana’s Chief of the Naval Staff Rear Adm. Issah Adam Yakubu at the exercise’s closing ceremony.

During that exercise two U.S. Sailors embarked on Ghana Navy vessels while the U.S. vessel hosted five Ghanaian Sailors.

“It was … amazing to see our two Sailors come back with big smiles and great stories to tell about their time on their respective ships,” said Capt. Amy Lindahl, commanding officer of Hershel “Woody” Williams.

In closing remarks, Yakubu urged all service members to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of those who served before them.

“Our achievements today are built upon the foundations laid by those who have dedicated their lives to protect and defend our dear country, and we honor their legacy and humbly carry the torch forward, upholding the traditions of excellence that define our noble profession,” he said.

Military officials conducted the previous Sea Lion exercise in 2020.