Defence Minister Calls for Stronger African Cooperation on Maritime Security
The Minister of Defence, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has called for stronger cooperation among African countries to tackle maritime security threats and protect key sea routes from criminal activities.
He said no country could address the threats alone, making intelligence sharing, joint operations and strong regional partnerships essential to securing African waters.
Speaking at the opening of the first African Maritime Security Forum 2026 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra yesterday, he said maritime security was vital to trade, livelihoods and economic growth.
He said criminal networks exploited connections between the sea, land and air to carry out activities that crossed national borders.
Mr Adjei said such threats required a coordinated response supported by trust among countries and security institutions.
He stressed that maritime security was not the responsibility of navies alone. It also required cooperation among governments, industry players, regional bodies and international partners.
The minister said Ghana relied on national laws, institutional policies and international conventions to protect its maritime boundaries, regulate shipping and safeguard the marine environment.
However, he said the country needed capable personnel and effective coordination to ensure that the laws and policies achieved their purpose.
Mr Adjei commended Denmark for its longstanding support for Ghana’s maritime security efforts.
He said Denmark had provided military, financial and training support to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and build the capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He cited support for anti-piracy training, maritime simulation facilities and tactical training for the Ghana Navy’s Special Boat Squadron and the Army Special Operations Brigade.
The minister also acknowledged the contribution of the KAIPTC to maritime security research, training and policy development.
He urged participants to use the two-day forum to share experiences and develop practical recommendations to improve maritime security across Africa.
The Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Professor Ismael Theletsane, said maritime threats were changing due to geopolitical tensions and disruptions along major international shipping routes.
He said conflicts in the Middle East had affected freedom of navigation and forced some vessels to take longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope.
According to him, the changes had increased pressure on maritime security and law enforcement agencies along Africa’s coast.
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG
