Africa-Press – Ghana. The National Maritime Security Committee (NMSC), an inter-agency collaborative body in the maritime industry, has ended its 20th meeting with a call for critical initiatives to bolster Ghana’s maritime security.
Deliberations focused on strategies for the protection of key maritime resources and assets, with the objective to promote socio-economic development in line with government’s agenda of round-the-clock economic activity.
A press statement by Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) noted that Dr Kamal-Deen Ali (Naval Capt. rtd.), its Director-General and Chairman of NMSC said, “By protecting key assets such as shipping vessels, offshore installations, and fishing resources, the Centre would enhance trade, tourism, and overall economic growth.”
The NMSC is comprised of representatives from 12 core agencies, including the Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force, Marine Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The committee also considered the inclusion of the Cyber Security Authority as a supporting member to help address growing digital threats in the maritime sector, the statement noted.
A key highlight of the meeting was the decision to revisit the execution of ‘Exercise AFARBO’ to rigorously test the Harmonized Standard Operating Procedures (HSOPs) of all maritime-linked agencies in Ghana.
The aim was to enhance cooperation in crucial areas such as vessel and personnel rescue, arrest, detention, investigation and prosecution within Ghana’s jurisdiction.
GMA tabled a proposal for the creation of a National Maritime Fusion Centre as a specialised facility to bring together all key maritime actors for the detection, prevention, investigation and response to threats at sea, the statement said.
The Centre’s core functions would be promotion of the blue economy through maritime safety and security, it noted.
Dr Kamal-Deen Ali (Naval Capt. rtd.) (4th from right), speaking during the Committee’s meeting.According to the statement, Dr Ali indicated that Ghana’s maritime domain, like many others, presented a mix of opportunities and threats, citing piracy incidents, hijacking and attacks on critical offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) and their impact on the country.
In that regard, the proposed Fusion Centre would be instrumental in addressing those threats, it said.
Dr Ali also articulated the importance of protecting submarine communication cables, which were vital to national communication security.
“Although these cables are administered by the National Communications Authority (NCA), the Ghana Maritime Authority plays a critical role in ensuring their safety”, it added.
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