Ghana has acquired three new naval vessels to assist in protecting the maritime resources of Ghana.According to the Minister of Defence, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, the three - GNS ANZONE, GNS HANSEN and GNS BONSU - have been commissioned.

Briefing journalists at the Meet-The-Press in Accra yesterday, Dr Addo-Kufuor said the three vessels cost 1.9 million dollars. On the evacuation of Ghanaians from Liberia, the Minister said one Fokker 27 GNS BONSU have been sent to Liberia. He said the ship would arrive off the Free Port of Monrovia on Friday.

The ship is capable of evacuating 1,000 returnees. He said GNS ANZONE is preparing to join BONSU if it becomes possible. He said the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces are monitoring developments in Liberia and gave the assurance that efforts would be made to ensure the speedy evacuation of Ghanaians from Liberia.

Dr Addo-Kufuor said the Ministry of Defence has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding for the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) to be affiliated to the University of Ghana.

He said because of the size of the class, each year, students who qualify are allowed the opportunity to read a MA Degree in International Relations. The first MA graduates would pass out in August.