Resume process to purchase offshore patrol vessels for Ghana Navy - Minority urges amid pirate attack

The minority caucus in Parliament is urging the government to restart the procurement of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Ghana Navy.

This call comes after a recent pirate attack on a Ghanaian fishing vessel. The attack resulted in the kidnapping of crew members, mostly Chinese nationals.

At a press conference on April 1, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour spoke about the urgent need for better security in Ghana's waters. He represents Assin South and emphasized this issue.

The Minority reiterated that strengthening maritime security is essential. They want the government to resume OPV procurement.

Rev. Fordjour noted that in 2024, plans were made to acquire two OPVs for the Navy. However, these plans faced opposition from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), halting progress.

He stated, “Pirates know about Ghana’s naval weaknesses.” He added that without OPVs, our waters remain vulnerable to attacks.

To improve security and deter crime at sea, he urged both the Ministry of Finance and Defense to prioritize purchasing two OPVs. He also called for resuming the procurement process with parliamentary approval.

Additionally, he urged decisive action against perpetrators and stressed equipping the Navy with necessary resources to prevent future incidents.