McHammah Engineering, a Ghanaian-owned electromechanical engineering company, has donated a locally manufactured 20-foot catamaran boat to the security service to strengthen their capacities, promote safety and security on the marine borders.
This kind gesture made by the local company is premised on the critical role the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly the Ghana Navy, plays in safeguarding the country’s marine boundaries – with a recent example being the display of professionalism during the search and rescue operation for victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
Constructed with locally sourced materials, the state-of-the-art 20-foot catamaran features a multipurpose and highly adaptable design, supporting the efforts of men and women on the shores.
Chief of Defence Staff Vice Admiral Seth Amoama underscored the donation’s impact in strengthening the bond between local community and the Service – exemplifying the spirit of collaboration between the private sector and military, and above all “signifies the unwavering support and commitment of the local business community to the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces”.
He re-echoed the power of this collaboration in leading to the manufacturing of more boats on a large scale to defend and protect the service’s territorial integrity – adding that it is critical to the vibrant and thriving blue economy aspired to by the country.
“I can see the collaborations that we are in engaging today leading to the future manufacture of proper boats and the re-emergence of service operations on a large scale, so that we can effectively defend and protect our territorial integrity,” he said.
He mentioned that the boat will help with patrols, search and rescue operations, as well as moving logistics to afford operating bases.
Finally, Mr. Amoama commended the manufacturing company for their act of benevolence, and urged the security service to facilitate engagement with the Ghana Maritime Authority to design and build such boats for carrying passengers to reduce canoe accidents on the Volta Lake.
For his part, Chief Executive Officer-McHammah Eng. Ltd., Dr. Ing. Ebenezer Kakra Hammah noted that using locally-sourced materials in constructing the boat has an immense impact on the economy and identifies the talents of citizens.
“I am proud to inform you that all the materials used for the construction of this catamaran were locally-sourced by utilising and supporting local resources, which will not only stimulate the economy but also showcase the immense talent and capabilities of indigenous Ghana,” he said.
Giving a background of building the boat from its initial concept design to final construction, he noted that the entire process lasted for four weeks and they ensured a rigorous trial for three-weeks to guarantee optimal performance and adherence to highest safety standards.
According to Mr. Hammah, the swift completion in building the boat “is a testament to the company’s expertise, efficiency and commitment to timely delivery”.
He is confident that the catamaran will prove invaluable in further enhancing the security services’ noble endeavours. He also assured of his outfit’s commitment in building a lasting relationship with the institution, and to support additional vessels or any other maritime engineering solutions.
Narrating how McHammah company finally made the decision of donating the boat to the Ghana Navy, Chief Staff Officer (CSO) of the Ghana Navy, Commodore Prosper Modey, said upon completing the boat, the company decided on using it for safety measures in the country’s backwaters.
According to him, the company approached the Service, and after briefing them on what the security service does on the backwaters, they were convinced that the best institution to use the boat is the Ghana Navy.
