Mr. Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, over the weekend visited the Italian Aircraft Carrier “Cavour” at Tema Harbour which is on a five-day humanitarian mission of restoring hope to children with cleft deformities.

Mr. Odamtten acknowledged their contribution of providing specialised medical assistance and encouraged them to strengthen their ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa in the area of health, to improve the medical conditions of the people.

He said it is the priority of President John Mahama’s government to find common procedures in maintaining order in the Gulf of Guinea by fighting illegal activities such as piracy, drug trafficking and smuggling.

Mr. Odamtten engaged some of the parents, whose children have benefited from the corrective cleft (palate/lip) surgery and encouraged them to continue adhering strictly to the recommendations by the specialists after they are discharged from the Cavour.

He was taken to the surgery ward, information centre and the Captains Bridge by Captain Luca Conti.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Captain Luca Conti said since the beginning of their trip through Africa, they have done 92 successful operations, and that, they feel at home in Ghana.

According to him, they are fully committed to Ghana and hinted that the Italian Navy is very well experienced in countering piracy and will soon partner the Ghana Navy to protect the Gulf of Guinea from pirates.

He said the Cavour provides humanitarian assistance to the less privileged in the world.