BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY
First female Ghanaian Naval Officer
Lt Cdr Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye Boakye
Lt Cdr Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye Boakye
Lt Cdr Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye Boakye, the first female Ghanaian Naval Officer was born in 1976 and was a product of the T.I Ahmadiya Secondary School, University of Ghana, Legon, Plymouth University in the UK, Goa University in India, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration as well as the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
She was commissioned into the Ghana Navy in 1996. After commissioning, her initial sea training at the time was a dilemma for the Navy High Command, since they had never put a woman on board any of the Navy ships. Faustina accepted the challenge and proved that women could also do it.
Her initial sea training on board “GNS Achimota”, the Flagship of the Ghana Navy under the command of the present Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Mathew Quashie (then a Commander ), took her to Liberia as part of the ECOMOG Naval Task Force in 1997.
She was the first and only female to be deployed on a warship to an operational area in the West Africa sub-region. As a Quarterdeck Officer entering the Liberian harbour, her drills stunned the other West Africa Naval personnel of the Task Force present at the Freeport with disbelief and awe as they trooped to the Ghana flagship when it finally berthed, just to catch a glimpse of the first female Ghanaian Naval Officer.
After a successful sea training, Faustina proceeded to the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK for the International Midshipman Course in 1997. Her sea training with the Royal Navy on board “HMS Brave” also took her to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, making her the first Ghanaian military officer to be on duty on the island. Again, her dedication to duty, enthusiasm and courage won her a lot of admiration from her Commanding Officers as well as colleagues alike.
Since commissioning, Lt Cdr Boakye has held various appointments including Staff Officer (Stores), Records Officer, Flag Lieutenant to the Chief of Naval Staff, Administrative Officer, Supply Officer (Naval Stores), Base Supply Officer and Command Supply Officer (Eastern and Western Naval Commands respectively).
She has served as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the Ghana Navy Supply Depot (GNSD), Acting Commanding Officer, GNSD and Deputy Director, Supply Division (Naval Headquarters). She is currently the Acting Director, Supply Division of the Ghana Navy.
In addition to Liberia, Lt Cdr Boakye has experienced Peacekeeping duties on the United Nations Observer Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia and as a Staff Officer with the United Nations Mission in Liberia.
Lt Cdr Boakye’s attitude to work, her enthusiasm, willingness to take up challenges and her leadership qualities have earned her the powerful accolade “Yaa Asantewaa” and “First Lady” within Ghanaian military circles.
Lt Cdr Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye Boakye
Lt Cdr Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye Boakye
Lt Cdr Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye Boakye, the first female Ghanaian Naval Officer was born in 1976 and was a product of the T.I Ahmadiya Secondary School, University of Ghana, Legon, Plymouth University in the UK, Goa University in India, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration as well as the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
She was commissioned into the Ghana Navy in 1996. After commissioning, her initial sea training at the time was a dilemma for the Navy High Command, since they had never put a woman on board any of the Navy ships. Faustina accepted the challenge and proved that women could also do it.
Her initial sea training on board “GNS Achimota”, the Flagship of the Ghana Navy under the command of the present Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Mathew Quashie (then a Commander ), took her to Liberia as part of the ECOMOG Naval Task Force in 1997.
She was the first and only female to be deployed on a warship to an operational area in the West Africa sub-region. As a Quarterdeck Officer entering the Liberian harbour, her drills stunned the other West Africa Naval personnel of the Task Force present at the Freeport with disbelief and awe as they trooped to the Ghana flagship when it finally berthed, just to catch a glimpse of the first female Ghanaian Naval Officer.
After a successful sea training, Faustina proceeded to the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK for the International Midshipman Course in 1997. Her sea training with the Royal Navy on board “HMS Brave” also took her to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, making her the first Ghanaian military officer to be on duty on the island. Again, her dedication to duty, enthusiasm and courage won her a lot of admiration from her Commanding Officers as well as colleagues alike.
Since commissioning, Lt Cdr Boakye has held various appointments including Staff Officer (Stores), Records Officer, Flag Lieutenant to the Chief of Naval Staff, Administrative Officer, Supply Officer (Naval Stores), Base Supply Officer and Command Supply Officer (Eastern and Western Naval Commands respectively).
She has served as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the Ghana Navy Supply Depot (GNSD), Acting Commanding Officer, GNSD and Deputy Director, Supply Division (Naval Headquarters). She is currently the Acting Director, Supply Division of the Ghana Navy.
In addition to Liberia, Lt Cdr Boakye has experienced Peacekeeping duties on the United Nations Observer Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia and as a Staff Officer with the United Nations Mission in Liberia.
Lt Cdr Boakye’s attitude to work, her enthusiasm, willingness to take up challenges and her leadership qualities have earned her the powerful accolade “Yaa Asantewaa” and “First Lady” within Ghanaian military circles.
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