Ghana Navy takes on oil security contract

The four new Flex Fighter vessels will be used to carry out the Ghana Navy's contract with the oil industry. (Ghana Armed Forces)

The Ghana Navy has signed a deal under which it will be paid to provide security for the country's offshore fields.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) announced on 18 January that the navy and the Tullow Ghana oil company had signed a memorandum of understanding to provide security services for the Jubilee and Tweneboa Enyenra Ntomme (TEN) oil fields.

The statement said Tullow Ghana and its partners will pay USD23.5 million for these services over a five-year period that began on 1 January.

“The Jubilee partners' commitment to support the retooling of the Ghana Navy is mutually beneficial to both parties,” Cynthia Lumor, deputy managing director of Tullow Ghana, said.

The Ghana Navy will use the four new Flex Fighter vessels that it received on 10 January to perform the work. During their reception ceremony at Takoradi port, Chief of the Naval Staff Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu said the acquisition of the ships resulted from the government's decision that armed security guards would no longer be deployed on civilian vessels to protect oil companies operating in the country.

Built by Singapore's Penguin Shipyard International, the 40 m Flex Fighters are essentially lightly armed and protected versions of the vessels commonly used to deliver supplies and personnel to offshore platforms.

Rear Adm Yakubu also thanked Israel Shipyards for its contribution to the project and for GCB Bank for financing the vessels.

The Israeli company, which is reportedly bidding to supply the Ghana Navy with eight patrol vessels, declined to comment on its involvement.