Ghana has reiterated its dedication to safeguarding its maritime domain and harnessing the economic potential of its coastal waters through regional collaboration, innovation, and investment in maritime security.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the 4th International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC 2025) in Accra, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah delivered a message stressing the urgency of a collective approach to maritime safety and the development of the blue economy.
“The blue economy is our next frontier,” President Mahama stated in the address. “It is time to match our aspirations with investments in technology, collaboration, and human capacity development.”
He underscored that maritime security is integral not only to Ghana’s economic interests but also to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Africa’s broader industrialisation agenda.
Debrah emphasized the need for cooperation, declaring, “No country can protect its maritime space in isolation. Ghana, under President Mahama’s leadership, will build on smart partnerships to secure our common waters and promote peace.”
The President’s call comes at a time when Ghana is scaling up its maritime strategy, inviting public-private partnerships and international cooperation in sectors such as port infrastructure, shipbuilding, maritime logistics, and coastal tourism.
“Our waters hold the promise of economic empowerment,” Mahama’s message continued. “Let us secure it, protect it, and build a future upon it.”
Combatting Maritime Threats with Technology and Cooperation
Addressing the evolving threats facing the Gulf of Guinea, President Mahama further urged African nations to adopt technological strategies as a critical response to maritime insecurity.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, relaying the President’s remarks at IMDEC, identified challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, marine pollution, and transnational crime as persistent threats to regional stability and economic growth.
“The region’s maritime domain is under significant pressure. We must innovate to protect it,” Debrah said.
He pointed to the need for advanced surveillance technologies, cybersecurity protocols, autonomous maritime systems, and real-time intelligence sharing as part of a multifaceted solution.
President Mahama stressed that these innovations must align with environmental and economic sustainability.
He noted that protecting marine biodiversity, reducing pollution, and adapting to climate change are essential components of Ghana’s maritime vision.
Reinforcing Regional Cooperation and Naval Capability
Mahama reiterated Ghana’s unwavering support for ECOWAS, the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, and other multilateral frameworks geared towards ensuring peace and security across West African waters.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen the operational readiness of the Ghana Navy and other maritime security agencies to meet emerging threats.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, echoed this position during the conference, citing a recent kidnapping incident involving a Ghanaian fishing vessel off the coast of Accra as a stark reminder of the risks at sea.
He emphasized the urgency for practical, sustainable responses, including reinforced naval capabilities, improved port security, and collaborative regional strategies to combat maritime crime.
IMDEC 2025 brought together global maritime defence experts, naval commanders, policymakers, and technology innovators to deliberate on building a resilient maritime future for Africa.