The Italian Navy is the latest force to join Ghana's anti piracy efforts in the Gulf of Guinea. Crew from the Carlo Bergamini-class frigate Luigi Rizzo recently berthed at Tema Port to provide training to 187 soldiers to help bolster efforts to combat rising piracy in the region.

 The three-day visit is expected to include a midnight drill focussing on patrolling and surveillance techniques.

 In comments made to local media, Commanding Officer Dario Castelli said the cooperation efforts with Ghana and other regional nations was needed to send a strong signal to pirates. 

Their programme follows a similar visit to Ghana by US Naval Forces that included training exercises, seminars, and awareness drills all aimed at ensuring the safety of the some 1,500 vessels that ply the Gulf of Guinea route every day. 

Last year the Gulf of Guinea saw over 200 piracy incidents.