Ghana’s private Defence and Security Company, Petram Forts is in talks with Government officials this year to set up Defence and Security Vehicles assembling Plant, its Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Ackah-Yensu has said.
He said the move was in response to demands by Ghana and other West Africa sub-region states as part of an effort to retool security against extremist terrorism.
The Vehicles Assembly Plant will produce time-tested and affordable specified vehicles for Ghana’s military and other state security agencies.
The Company, according to him, has been in the defense industry since 2016 and is also a member of Continent holdings based in the United Arab Emirates.
Mr. Ackah-Yensu revealed this to the media at the two-day International Defence and Exhibition Conference (IDEC) in Accra on Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
The International Defence Exhibition and Conference sought to enhance the capability of participants to address Africa’s security challenges.
The two-day event, which was on the theme: “Strengthening international collaboration to combat terrorism and transnational organised crimes,” also aimed at improving combined combat operations and regional development initiatives on the continent.
It is being participated by Defence Chiefs of Staff and senior officers and executives of security agencies and global partners, as well as advanced solution providers in the field of military technology and manufacturing.
Petram Forts partners with IDEC, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute (GoGMI) to exhibit Military gear, including weapons and vehicles, as well as defence technological tools, such as drones and communication equipment on display at the event.
The CEO said, Petram Forts is one of Africa’s largest privately owned defense firms, with the manufacturing capabilities and poised to meet the demands of the specific domestic security market.
It also partners with other global manufacturers, Engineers, and developers in the maritime, defense, intelligence, and security industries to develop software, communication, and mechanical solutions for effective deployment.
“Petram Fortis and Sandock Austral are teaming up to offer maritime security solutions to Ghana through the newly established joint venture, Petram Sandock Maritime Systems,” he said.
The assembling of the defence and security vehicles, Mr. Ackah-Yensu explained followed demand driving, with Ghana and the rest of the West Africa States mostly to benefit.
He said, “There is a huge amount of skill and human capital on the African continent that makes what we are planning to do very achievable.”
The company is also interested in working with governments on software, cyber security, and artificial intelligence as part of its expertise to combat border and external security threats.
.Commenting further, Mr. Ackah-Yensu said, Petram Forts would implement long-term capacity creation programs which would ultimately put it in a position where the company could build a domestic defence industry and employ a large number of Ghanaian youth.
In addition, the company is also in talks with financial institutions for a strategic partnership to ensure the industry meets its African regional defence vehicles over the next ten years.
According to the investor, when the plant is completed, it will have the capacity to produce thousands of defence vehicles yearly.
“We are the largest defence company in Ghana and with a proven track record of excellence. It is through partnerships like these that Africa will cease to toe the line, and begin to blaze the path through innovation and creativity. It is indeed time for Africa to rise” he said in a brief comment.
Mr. Ackah-Yensu believes Petram Fortis, has a rich track record with Ghana’s Armed Forces in the supply of artillery, communications systems, and peacekeeping support and is well positioned for the joint collaboration under Petram Sandock for efficient solutions covering naval vessels, land, and air within territorial waters to guarantee security for the fisheries, oil and gas sectors.
Some of its proven track records, he said include global industry and technology development projects, complex defense program development, civil initiatives in combating COVID-19, various governmental rapid development projects, and maintenance, training, and support programs.
Source: sacredmediaonline.com/
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