Accra, March 24 GNA - A French Naval Ship, L.V. Le Henaff would pay a routine call to the Port of Tema from March 26 to March 31 in the course of her regular mission along the West Coast of Africa. A statement issued on Wednesday by the French Embassy in Accra said the purpose of the visit is to reinforce the ties between the Ghanaian and the French Navies.

The statement said it is the second time that the French Naval ship is coming to Ghana.

It said the vessel, which is under the command of Lieutenant Bertrand Hudault since July 23, 2003 has a staff of eight officers, 63 petty officers and a 29-member crew.

The statement said the ship specialises in shallow waters anti submarine warfare, participates in peacetime and wartime missions, nuclear ballistic submarine support and protection as well as surveillance defence of French national maritime.

The statement further said in the course of the visit a physician on board the ship and two of his Ghanaian counterparts from the 37 Military Hospital would offer a day of free medical care to the patients at the Pampram Polyclinic on March 29.