Accra, June 6, GNA - The British Royal Navy Ship, HMS Chatham, begins a four-day visit to the port of Tema from Tuesday June 6 2006, a statement from the British High Commission in Accra said. It said HMS Chatham was part of the Royal Navy's South Atlantic Patrol Force providing a tangible UK maritime presence in the South Atlantic as well as providing a presence in West Africa in support of UN and UK interests. This will be her first trip to Ghana.

It said the purpose of the visit was to demonstrate and reinforce bilateral ties between Ghana and the United Kingdom. The statement said over the last few days HMS Chatham, a frigate, had been in Lagos, Nigeria, with two Ghana Navy Patrol Vessels as part of the Fleet Review celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Nigerian Navy.

While in Tema, Captain James Morse would pay a courtesy call on the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command.