Sekondi, Oct. 30, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama, on Friday said government would equip the Ghana Navy to carry its mandate efficiently and effectively, despite the constraints of the economy and other competing national development needs.

Addressing a parade mounted by the Navy to commemorate the 50th anniversary celebration of the service in Sekondi said the accommodation challenge facing the security services was also receiving due attention from government.

Vice President Mahama was the Reviewing Officer and the Special Guest of Honour at the function. "That is why a 300- acre land is being acquired at Aboadze for the construction of a naval village," he said. Vice President Mahama said the provision of modern equipment and the maintenance of ships of the navy was another area receiving attention from government.

He said frantic efforts were being made to complete the Naval Dockyard Slipway and Test Bench projects. Vice President Mahama said Government had initiated the process to acquire ships from China, Germany and South Korea for the Navy. He said Government recognised and appreciated the tremendous efforts and the high sense of professionalism exhibited by the naval personnel over the years, in spite of the numerous challenges they encounter. He, therefore, urged the Chief of Naval Staff and his team to continue to work even harder with the same zeal and professionalism during the past 50 years.

Vice President Mahama noted that there is pervasive insecurity in the resource endowed in the Gulf of Guinea, which has suddenly attracted the interest of gun runners and fish poachers. He said this was likely to affect the country's oil exploratory efforts if steps were not taken to contain the growing crime. He charged the Navy to come up with strategic plans to meet the challenging times.

Vice President said Government would devote greater policy attention to maritime security by acquiring surveillance equipment to protect the coastline.

"This will enable us develop the capability of enforcing relevant international conventions to which we are signatory", he said. Vice President Mahama presented anniversary awards to some of the naval personnel for their meritorious and dedicated service to the Ghana Navy. Leading Seaman Paul Dongyiri who lost his life while trying to save a drowning child at Osu was honoured posthumously. Miss Martina Aku Seddo, a civilian telephonist at the Ministry of Defence was also awarded for 35 years of dedicated service. Vice President Mahama also unveiled a commemorative cenotaph of an unknown soldier in honour of service men, who have lost their lives in the course of duty. It was constructed by the Art Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology at the Western Naval Command. 30 Oct. 09