President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on stakeholders to further levels of cooperation and collaboration to address the emerging threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
He said it was essential for the international community to foster close cooperation to ensure maritime security across all oceans.
President Akufo-Addo made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2nd African Maritime Forces Summit and 3rd Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium Africa held in Accra on Tuesday.
The theme of this year’s symposium was “Cooperation at Sea: Africa’s Maritime Security.”
President Akufo-Addo said the event encouraged the global community to “strengthen our partnership and strengthen our “This provides a unique opportunity to enhance the collective capacity of the world,” he said.
He said the Gulf of Guinea region is an important route for international trade linking all major continents, from the Middle East and Asia to Europe and the Americas, and investment in offshore oil and gas infrastructure in particular is increasing in the region. I realized that.
Coastal trade and maritime traffic are therefore bound to increase, and this growing wealth and geopolitical relevance will enable the region to address both traditional and emerging maritime security threats. The President said we must.
President Akufo-Addo said these transnational crimes not only threaten national and regional peace and stability, but also cause significant damage to the economies of coastal and non-coastal states.
U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer emphasized the need for increased cooperation in ensuring maritime security and combating illegal activities in the region’s coastal waters.
He said Ghana is currently cooperating with the United States on trade, development, law enforcement, security cooperation and other important issues.
Regarding security cooperation, Ms. Palmer noted that the United States has provided significant security assistance to Ghana, including US$28 million last year to help train and equip the Ghanaian Navy and other security forces.
The Ambassador said this assistance is aimed at protecting Africa’s critical coastal waters for commerce from the threats of piracy, illegal fishing and illegal trade. He commended Ghana’s leadership role in promoting security and democracy in the region, adding that President Nana Akufo-Addo has led the way as a vocal defender of democratic norms. Ms. Palmer commended the Ghana Navy and the Government of Ghana for co-hosting the event to highlight the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Ghana.
Rear Admiral Issa Adamu Yakubu, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, said the oceans offer critical strategic uses for national development and reiterated the continued support of the United States for safety and security through capacity building and equipment transfers. praised.
Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, commander of the U.S. Navy, Europe and Africa, said the United States is committed to protecting the exclusive economic zone and strengthening cooperation to address maritime security issues.
Maj. Gen. Robert B. Sofuge, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, reiterated the need for cooperation to address complex international security challenges and commended Ghana for hosting the conference.
Written by Cliff Eckful & Claude Nyarko Adams