It was a very exciting moment for Catholic Vocations’ Directors in Ghana, visiting the Naval Base at Sekondi for an excursion, as part of activities to mark their 45th Annual General Meeting at Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana’s Western Region, as it gave them a feel of what working on the sea looks like.
The Directors were warmly received on this February 15, 2025 tour by Mr. Boahen Prince, a Ship Clerk, who led them into the “mess” of the Ship where they had some interactions in form of questions from the inquisitive Vocations promoters and answers from the patient crew members.
The “mess” or canteen, according to Mr. Boahen, is a place where they, crew members meet for relaxation; “to eat and watch television”. It can also serve as a sit-out for passengers during emergency travels. Attached to the “mess” is a place of convenience, a bath house, and an accommodation strictly for the use of crew members.
A photo of the Vice Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, Chief of the Naval Staff, could be seen hanging at the “Mess,” who according to the clerk lives in Accra, but always goes round to supervise his men working in the various Navy in Ghana: Takoradi, Tema, Volta, Nzima, Akossombo, Keta-Akatchi, among others.
According to the inscription on the photo, the Vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff is “to maintain a modern robust Naval Force capable of defending Ghana against seaborne threats and ensuring the safety and security of the maritime domain for the development of the Blue Economy while maintaining the time-tested traditions of the Navy”.
The War Ship which has a capacity of 500 passengers, and goes to countries like Ivory Coast, among others, according to the Clerk could stay in the sea between 5 days and 2 weeks, depending on the quantity of fuel and water. Usually there is no network on the shore, and calls could only go through with the use of Wifi.
Mr. Boahen further reaffirmed that to minister to the spiritual needs of the soldiers while they are on the sea, they are sometimes accompanied on the trips by their Muslim leaders and Chaplains, including Catholic Priests. 
The Catholic guests were made to understand that practically everyone who works in the Navy must learn how to swim, because sometimes in emergency situations, there is the need to use speed boats which could capsize at any moment, posing a very dangerous risk for anyone who is unable to swim. 
For security reasons, the Vocation Directors had been instructed to form three lines and move as such around the compound, and because of the narrow nature of the path leading into the Ship’s “mess”, the group had been split into two separate batches to allow each group have the experience of entering the ship.
Mr. Boahen, the ship clerk, whose main duty is to type and dispatch messages and information on the ship, confessed to be happy and proud of his work in the Navy, which he said has lasted for up to 15 years.
“That’s my profession. That’s where I get my daily bread from, so I have to be proud of it,” he admitted.
The Vocations Directors as part of the excursion had made a stop-over at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Cathedral, Takoradi, to have a quiet time with the Lord, and look around the place.
Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (Sister Communicator)
