Develop coherent approach to maritime security. African countries urged
The Minister of Defence, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, has urged African countries to develop a coherent approach to maritime security.
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Maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea continued to be a disincentive to regional progress, he said, adding that cooperating to battle the canker would enhance the fight against terrorism, piracy, and human trafficking.
It would also help to harness the oil and gas potential of the Gulf of Guinea for the growth of the sub-region, Dr Kunbuor said.
“The sea serves as a setting for global trade and commerce, significant source of food, oil and gas, and a conduit for communication. The search for food security and alternative source of energy has increased the importance of the sea,” he added.
Book launch
Dr Kunbuor made the call when he launched a book titled “Maritime Security Cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea: Prospects and Challenges” in Accra last Wednesday.
The book, authored by Commander Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, the Director of Research at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), highlights the key issues relating to maritime security and the legal framework for addressing the challenges of the industry.
The launch brought together high profile people from the security services, diplomatic corps, academia, Muslim clergy and the public.
Concerns
There have been concerns in international circles about the surge in maritime insecurity, with particular mention of the Gulf of Guinea gaining notoriety as one of the most dangerous corridors in the world.
Dr Kunbuor described the book as handy, since it contained valuable facts on the threats that piracy and armed robbery posed to the effective implementation of national and regional strategies that aim at improving maritime security.
Touching on the importance of the sea, the minister said it was important that the resource was protected from criminal activities.
“The sea serves as a setting for global trade and commerce, a significant source of food, oil and gas, and a conduit for communication,” he said.
Book review
Dr Ian Ralby, an official of the African Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS), United States, and Dr Kumi Ansah-Koi, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, took turns to comment on the book.
Dr Ralby said the book had regional and global significance and that it was “probably, the first deep dive into the issues of maritime security”. He said the book presented a blend of legal and security appreciation of the issues pertaining to maritime security.
Dr Ansah-Koi, for his part, said the book addressed issues relating to piracy, fishing challenges, territorial disputes, environmental pollution and other setbacks.
A former Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation for West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Mr Magnus Addico, who chaired the event, called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to settle territorial disputes between Francophone countries and the Anglophone ones in order to fight terrorism and piracy on a united front.
The author
Commander Kamal-Deen Ali has served as the legal director of the Ghana Navy. He holds a doctorate degree (PhD), Masters of Law and Masters of Arts in International Relations. He has 17 years of legal and military service and has since 2003 been engaged in Law of the Sea capacity building and Maritime Security policy shaping at the national and international levels.