One hundred and two out of one hundred and eight Navy recruits last Thursday passed-out of the Navy Trade Training School at the Western Naval Base in Sekondi.
Known as the Batch of Basic Training 72 Recruits, the recruits were taken through courses in eight disciplines. They were also trained in conduct courses to enable them to adhere to the rules and regulations of the profession.

Reviewing officer Capt. (GN) George Opoku Asubonteng (Rtd) Board Chairman, Ghana Maritime Authority, who administered the oath of allegiance to the recruits during the parade encouraged the recruits not to rest on their oars but aspire to undertake further training to attain professional excellence.


He said with the acquisition of GNS Stephen Otu a Korean warship; plans were far advanced for government to purchase new ships and other equipments for the Navy, to position personnel to protect all the oil installations at the Jubilee Fields against piracy and illegal bunkering.

Capt. G.N (Rtd) Asubonteng implored them not to use their profession to engage in illegal activities, molest civilians or settle old scores on behalf of any relation, but rather strengthen their relationship with the public.

“The President has broke ground for the construction of the STX Housing Project of which the Ghana Armed Forces in general and the Navy in particular are beneficiaries.

So soon the problem of young sailors hustling to look for accommodation will be a thing of the past”, he added.

After passing out, the young seamen will be attached to the fleet for sea training to enable them work effectively and efficiently on board the ships or in any shore establishment and ultimately prepare them with skills for retirement into civil society.

The overall best all round naval recruit award went to Emmanuel Obosu while the best in naval drill award went to Eric Kumi-Rockson with best in weapon and skill-at-arm and best in academic Order of Merit award went to Michael Ofosu and Samuel Ofori Amankwah respectively.

In a related development, the Ghana Air Force held a passing out parade for Air Force Recruits Course 1/2010 at the Air Force Recruits Training School at the Air Force base in Takoradi.

The 121 Air Force Recruits were made up of 25 females and 96 males. The guest of honor and the Reviewing Officer was Air Commodore Kwame Korankyi Pumpuni(Rtd) president of the Retired Air Force Officers Association.

Air Commodore K.K Pumpuni (Rtd) called on the recruits to remain steadfast, disciplined and committed to the course of defending the Republic of Ghana.

The Overall Best Recruit was ACII Agbati Gideon Koku, Best Drill ACII Quaye Eric, Best in Academics ACII Ekpen Addrey Emmanuel, Best in Weapon Training ACII Aidoo Obed and Best in Field Craft Tactics was ACII Akolbila Paul Alerm.

Present at the ceremony was the chief of Air Staff AVM M Samson Oje and the Base Commander of the Air Force Base Takoradi Air Commodore IAR Abbas.

Source: ISD (Sekondi)