From US Navy Africa Public Affairs, US Marine Corps Africa Public Affairs and Ghana Navy Public Affairs
ACCRA, Ghana – Government and military leaders from more than 40 countries on four continents kicked off the second annual African Naval Forces Meeting (AMFS) and third Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa (NILS-A) in Accra, Ghana, 30 April 2024 .
AMFS and NILS-A, combined this year for the first time, provide participants with a unique space to address common concerns and expand maritime cooperation and coordination. These forums will strengthen strategic-level relationships to facilitate better regional cooperation in addressing maritime threats.
“AMFS and NILS-A help us all better understand the challenges facing maritime and naval forces along the African coast and out to sea,” said Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa ( NAVEUR-NAVAF) and commander, Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples. “I look forward to working with our Ghanaian Navy hosts and all participants this week to support African-led solutions to pressing issues connecting our maritime and naval forces.”
Over the next three days, African and international leaders will participate in a series of panels and focused discussions on maritime security challenges and opportunities. Special groups include Cooperation Strategies and Joint Operations Models, The Spectrum of Maritime Action: At Sea and Offshore, Assessing Maritime Security Interventions and Countering and Prosecuting Illicit Maritime Activity (From Piracy to IUUF).
NAVAF hosted the inaugural AMFS in Cape Verde in March 2023, and this is the third iteration of the US Marine Corps Africa (MARFORAF) NILS-A event. Bringing these two leadership forums together in this way further demonstrates the importance the United States, partners, and Allies place on combining efforts in the maritime domain, across industries, national borders, and continents.
“This historic conference will bring together the leaders of Allied and partner navies and militaries from more than 40 countries to discuss aspects of interoperability, crisis response and naval capabilities.” said U.S. Maj. Gen. Robert B. Sofge Jr., commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa (MARFOREUR/AF). “What a great opportunity we have here to strengthen the ties between us in pursuit of our common goals.”
As a host country and a frequent participant in regional exercises and operations, the Ghana Navy values the importance of maritime cooperation. Through exercises such as Obangame Express and Sea Lion, which facilitate port visits from partner and Allied countries, and bilateral and multilateral patrols in the Gulf of Guinea, the Ghana Navy has a deep knowledge of the precise subject matter covered by AMFS/NILS -A.
“AMFS/NILS-A demonstrates how much solidarity the international community has in ensuring security and stability in our region. We are honored to host this critical initiative in 2024 as we take the lead in ensuring freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade throughout the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa,” said Vice Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Ghana Navy. “We look forward to lively and meaningful conversations with so many of our friends and partners from across Africa and around the world.”
This combined event also comes about a week before the start of Obangame Express 2024, West Africa’s premier naval exercise facilitated by the NAVAF. The Multinational Maritime Coordination Center in Accra and various facilities in and around Takoradi will serve as hubs for a series of Obangame Express exercises, further underscoring Ghana’s critical role in the region.
For more than 80 years, US Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to maintain security and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates US naval forces in the US Europe Command (USEUCOM) and US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. The US Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full range of joint and naval operations.
For more information on AMFS/NILS-A, visit or
Download date: | 30.04.2024 |
Shipping date: | 30.04.2024 16:08 |
Story ID: | 469905 |
Location: | GH |
Web Views: | 39 |
Downloads: | 0 |
PUBLIC SECTOR
This job, Partners, Allies Gather in Ghana for African Navies Summit, Marine Corps Leaders Symposium-Africamust comply with the restrictions listed in