Sekondi, Aug. 21, GNA - A French naval ship, "Aviso Lieutenant de vaisseau Lavallee", berthed at the Sekondi Naval Base to begin a four-day visit during which its crew will undertake military and civil activities with their Ghanaian counterparts.

The ship, which has a crew of 101, would visit other African countries and conduct similar exercises to strengthen local navies and improve on the relationships between African and French naval ships. The ship is under the command of Commander Yonec Fihey who told newsmen that the visit formed part of "Mission Corymbe 90" meant to offer help or evacuation to French nationals in African countries in case of any crisis.

Nana Kobina Nketsia, Omanhene of Essikadu Traditional Area, said the visit would, apart from improving the relationship between Ghana and France, also improve the skills of the Ghanaian navy. He said though the Western Region was endowed with several opportunities, the lack of the technical know-how to exploit such resources had left the region under-developed.