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The new Chief of the Naval Staff of the Ghana Navy, Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo, has pledged to intensify patrols at sea to ward off any attacks on the country.

Speaking at a ceremony to take over the command as the new Chief of the Naval Staff at the Burma Camp in Accra yesterday, Rear Admiral Faidoo assured Ghanaians that their security was guaranteed because morale among the Navy was high to defend the nation.

“Ghanaians can go to bed because morale is very high in the Navy. We will continue rigid patrols of our waters,” he said.

At the ceremony, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Mawuli Biekro handed over the staff of office to Rear Admiral Faidoo. A pull-out ceremony was also held to see Rear Admiral Biekro out of the service.

In addition to a citation and a 73-inch Samsung television set given to Rear Admiral Biekro, the Naval Training Command at Sogakope in the Volta Region and an auditorium of a newly constructed office complex of the Ghana Navy were named after him for his dedicated and transformational leadership.

Rear Admiral Biekro, who assumed the position of Chief of the Naval Staff three years ago, retired this year after 41 years’ service with the Ghana Navy.

His successor, Rear Admiral Faidoo, was, until his rise to the current position, the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command.

More work at sea
The new Chief of the Naval Staff said the Navy did a lot of work at sea where people did not see and added that it would continue to work with informants to ensure early detection and foiling of activities of criminals at sea.

Honest leadership
Rear Admiral Faidoo pledged to provide honest, transparent, accountable and professional leadership, “so that together we can continue to move our beloved Navy forward”.

He lauded Rear Admiral Biekro for laying a solid foundation for him to continue with the good works he (Biekro) had started for the Ghana Navy.

He described his predecessor as a transformational leader who had engendered pride and confidence among the personnel.

Rear Admiral Biekro
Giving account of his stewardship, Rear Admiral Biekro said he took over as the Chief of the Naval Staff three years ago when there were numerous challenges facing the Navy, ranging from the lack of accommodation for personnel, ships that needed different levels of repairs, office buildings that needed urgent renovation and the lack of uniforms.

He said the situation was exacerbated by budgetary constraints.

Rear Admiral Biekro said through the support of ministries, departments and agencies, public and private organisations, individuals and groups, the Ghana Navy had made great strides.

He mentioned the construction of a modern office complex for the Ghana Navy as an example of the projects executed during his tenure.

“Our Navy has now become the most prestigious, professional and enviable Navy in West Africa,” he added.