By Bright Ntramah
President Akufo-Addo has warned International Maritime rating agencies of the implications of inaccurate reportage on a nation’s ability to participate in global trade.
He noted that while past efforts have brought relative calm to the waters of Africa some entities continue to paint a grooming picture of events in the gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at the Launch of the National Integrated Maritime Strategy of Ghana and the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference at the Burma Hall of Burma Camp, the President noted that Ghana has not recorded any piracy or armed Robbery incident at sea since 2022. This he attributed to the concerted efforts of the Ghana Navy and other key Maritime stakeholders.
This National Integrated Maritime Strategy(NIMS) has been developed by a multi-agency Ghanaian team at a crucial moment when there is a burgeoning awareness of the contribution of oceans to sustainable development.
This Strategy is intended to chart viable courses of action towards addressing these issues to ensure that Ghana’s maritime domain is globally considered safe and secure, with strong blue economy sectors that not only generate substantial national income, but also ultimately improve the living standards of people.
The NIMS has been developed with six strategic objectives in mind for the country:
They are Strengthen the framework for maritime governance, Ensure the safety and security of Ghana’s maritime domain, Develop a thriving blue economy, Protect our marine and coastal
environment, Promote capacity-building, research, awareness and knowledge-sharing in the maritime domain, and Develop dynamic and diversified regional and international cooperation.
President Akufo-Addo said the government has commenced equipping the NAVY with Drones, coastal radars, real-time surveillance and tracking protocols in order to improve maritime domain awareness. He said the government will continue to support the maritime authority and the entire maritime industry with policies, equipment, training and resources as part of Maritime security capacity building.
All these investments are aimed at developing a blue economy adding that no Ministries or agencies can do it alone.
”Ghana is taking steps to strengthen maritime governance and also harmonise activities in the maritime sector”.
The President noted that Ghana has not recorded any piracy or armed Robbery incident at sea since 2022 and urged International Maritime rating agencies to be apt in their reportage.
The President accompanied by the Minister of National Security, Kan Dapaah, Transport Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral, Issah Yakubu among others cut the sod for 2023 Maritime Defence Exhibition.
Military apparatus and hardware such as Drones, were on display.
