German Naval Ships visit Ghana

Accra, Feb. 04, GNA - A German Naval Task Group, consisting of two Frigates and an Auxiliary vessel, is visiting the Tema Harbour from Monday, February 4, to February 6, 2008 as part of its annual programme to intensify international relations.

A statement from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany on Monday, said the three ships -- Air defence Frigate Hamburg, the multi purpose Frigate Koeln and the Auxiliary vessel Berlin, which formed the training task group of the German Navy, would spend five months, touching three continents and visiting 18 harbours in 13 different countries.

The group has a total crew of 600, led by its commanding officer Captain Michael Budde, who would lead them around Africa to participate in numerous exercises with host countries. While in Ghana, Captain Budde would call on the Chief of Naval Staff, the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Traditional chiefs and the Harbour Master.

A group of Officer Cadets from the vessels would also visit the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre to engage their Ghanaian counterparts in sport activities and discussions. The Vessels would leave the Tema Harbour for the Walvis Bay in Namibia on February six, the statement said.