US Donates Two Protector-Class Patrol Boats to Ghana Navy
The United States has gifted two Protector-class patrol boats to its strategic partner Ghana in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. The ships in question were transported to Takoradi Harbor by representatives of the American Navy aboard the Ocean Giant and handed over to the Ghana Navy. The Ghana Navy named the ships GNS Aflao and GNS Half Assini during the delivery ceremony.
Commander (Cdr) Carlton McClain, US Naval Attaché to Ghana, stated on behalf of the US government that the Gulf of Guinea had become an important marine root for global trade and that it was therefore critical that such vessels be delivered to eliminate threats faced. He expressed gratitude to Ghana’s leadership for their fruitful collaboration. Commodore (Cdre) Emmanuel Ayesu, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, who received the vessels on behalf of the Government of Ghana, expressed his sincere thanks to the US Government for the thoughtful gesture.
Speaking to Citi News during the delivery ceremony, Flag-Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command Commodore Emmanuel Kwafo thanked the US government for the ships, noting that they would improve security in Ghana’s far West and East maritime areas. Kwafo further added that these vessels will help them combat armed robbery, piracy, illegal immigration, drug and human trafficking, and defend Ghana’s fisheries. The Ghana Navy had previously procured four Flex Fighter ships from Singapore and four patrol boats from China for the same purpose.
The Protector class patrol boats, built by the US-based Bollinger Shipyards on the Damen Stan 2600 project, are 27 meters long and 5.92 meters wide. The ships, powered by two MTU 8V 396 TE94 diesel engines, have a top speed of 25 knots, a range of 1,700 km, and a three-day endurance. In terms of armament, these ships, which can carry a crew of ten, have two .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns. In addition, each boat is outfitted with a Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB).