The Ghana Navy has held a memorial lecture and awards ceremony as part of commemorative activities in honour of fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty at The Grove Essipong Beach Resort on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
The Memorial Day Celebration was under the theme “Sacrifice, Service and Sovereignty: The Legacy of the Ghana Navy.
The guest of honour, Western Regional Minister Honourable Joseph Nelson, indicated that the day provided a crucial opportunity to keep the memories of the fallen heroes alive, adding that the concepts of service, sacrifice and sovereignty were neither abstract nor rhetorical ideals, but principles that had shaped and defined the destinies of their nation.
Keynote speaker Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the Omanhen of the Essikado Traditional Area, identified the root of many continental challenges as the blind emulation of Western ways and urged a return to our cultural heritage to foster national development.
In his opening address, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, reflected on the Navy’s trying times during the fatal 1990 incident. He underscored the lecture’s significance in connecting generations and honouring foundational values.
Rear Admiral Bessing stated that the memorial lecture was not only a tribute to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty but also a platform to deepen their national understanding of the courage, loyalty, and selfless service they stood for.
A highlight of the ceremony was CNS awarding the crew of the GNS ACHIMOTA for their remarkable achievement in successfully sailing the longest distance ever undertaken by any Ghana Navy vessel in the 65-year history of the service. The crew were awarded a meritorious Service Badge and the distinguished shellback Badge. These honours serve as enduring symbols for their outstanding contributions and exemplary leadership.
The event also saw the launch of ‘The Trident’, a new newsletter for 2 Garrison, initiated by the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command to project the garrison's image. Corporate organizations that supported the memorial celebration were also awarded for their contributions. A book, titled “Through the Scuttle,” and authored by Ex-COP I Farouk Abdul-Aziz was also launched.
