The Gulf of Guinea's states have been urged by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to prioritise concerns with maritime security and safety.
He urged a united front to stop terrorist organisations from operating in the boundaries of the territorial waters by utilising the technology environment, knowledge, and naval skills.
Speaking at the opening session of the third International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) at the Burma Camp in Accra, President Nana Akufo-Addo said protecting the marine domain required a joint effort.
The focus of the two-day conference is "Consolidating the Gains Made in the Gulf of Guinea: The Role of Stakeholders and Technology in Maintaining a Safe and Secure Maritime Domain."
The Gulf of Guinea, which stretches from Senegal to Angola and has a coastline of around 6,000 kilometres, is a crucial shipping route for the transportation of cargo, oil, and gas to and from central and southern Africa.
The International Maritime Bureau stated that in 2020 there were 84 attacks on ships in the region, and 135 seafarers were taken hostage for ransom. According to the Bureau, kidnappings for ransom increased along the coast by almost 50% between 2018 and 2019, and by about 10% between 2019 and 2020. Around 1,500 cargo ships, tankers, and fishing boats travel through the territorial seas per day on average.
The Gulf of Ghana, according to President Nana Akufo-Addo, is essential to maintaining global trade. In order to effectively combat marine threats, discussions like the IMDEC should be taken seriously. "I am especially happy that this conference will be attended by our generals, admirals, marshals, and representatives of our international allies and stakeholders in the maritime and defence industries. The President stated that "your presence is adequate evidence of the value of collaboration and the cooperation required to deal with the essential challenges of the maritime sector, notably in the Gulf of Guinea."
The third IMDEC offers the largest gathering of Africa's maritime industry following the great success of the prior two editions. The Chiefs of Naval Staff from across the world are being hosted by the Ghana Navy to discuss the main problems with maritime security on the continent. They will discuss the evolving dangers to Africa's territorial seas and blue economy. The conference's side events will include the most recent innovations in marine security as well as persuasive resolutions and suggestions for overcoming the formidable maritime issues.
