Accra – The Ghana Navy has entered into a strategic partnership with Fly Zipline Ghana Limited, aimed at enhancing the recovery of the company's lost drones across the nation. This collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), underscoring a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by the drone-operating company.
According to Ghana News Agency, the MoU was signed at the Naval Headquarters in Burma Camp, Accra, on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. The agreement, signed by Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), and Mr. Mawuli Atiemo, the General Manager of Fly Zipline Ghana Limited, is set to facilitate the Navy's assistance in retrieving lost drones and supplies, particularly along major river bodies nationwide.
Rear Admiral Yakubu emphasized that this agreement aligns with the Ghana Navy's core mission of providing sea defence and maritime support. He acknowledged that the request from Fly Zipline Ghana for assistance was timely and well within the Navy's operational capabilities. The CNS also highlighted the mutual benefits of this partnership, particularly in terms of capacity building and training opportunities between the two institutions.
Furthermore, Rear Admiral Yakubu revealed plans for the Navy to develop a Drone Squadron, aimed at overseeing the operation of its drones. This initiative is expected to significantly aid in search and rescue missions, enhancing the Navy's maritime operations.
Mr. Mawuli Atiemo expressed optimism about the MoU, noting that it would foster a stronger collaboration and idea-sharing, ultimately benefiting the country. This partnership follows an earlier initiative in April, where the Ghana Navy granted Fly Zipline Ghana access to its Maritime Operations Centre and web-based monitoring platform. This access was intended to enable the Navy to track Zipline's flight operations and respond promptly in case of drone losses over water bodies.