Ghana Navy Fleet has flagged off Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) Achimota to participate in the 4th edition of OPERATION ANOUANZE (OP ANOUANZE IV), scheduled to take place in Liberia. The flag-off ceremony, held on Friday, 21 August 2026, officially marked the departure of GNS Achimota and its crew of 40 all ranks to join other maritime security forces from the ECOWAS Zone F Maritime Area for the multinational operation.
OP ANOUANZE IV is a multinational maritime security operation aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and strengthening maritime security within the ECOWAS maritime domain. The operation brings together maritime security forces from countries within the ECOWAS Zone F maritime area, including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
The operation is designed to strengthen coordinated maritime patrols and cooperation among participating countries in addressing threats within the region’s maritime space.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Guest of Honour and Western Regional Minister, Honourable (Hon) Joseph Nelson, said GNS Achimota had been thoroughly prepared and was operationally ready to represent the Ghana Navy and Ghana in the important regional operation.
He reminded the ship’s crew that they were ambassadors of Ghana and the Ghana Navy,and urged them to maintain the highest standards of discipline and professionalism throughout the mission. Hon Nelson further encouraged the crew to execute their tasks with confidence and professionalism as they contribute to the collective effort to enhance maritime security in the region. He wished the crew well as they embarked on the operation.
The participation of GNS Achimota in OP ANOUANZE IV underscores Ghana Navy’s continued commitment to regional maritime cooperation, the promotion of maritime security and the protection of Ghana’s maritime interests.
The deployment also reinforces Ghana’s contribution to collective efforts by ECOWAS maritime forces to safeguard the region’s maritime space and respond effectively to emerging maritime security threats.
Story by: Cpl Agyare Bismark
Pictures by: AC1 Ankomah Robert Peters
