Ghana Navy official urges continued cooperation amid decline in maritime insecurity

The University of Ghana School of Law recently concluded its 3-day International Conference on Ocean Governance, titled “Emerging Issues in Maritime Delimitation and Ocean Governance in Africa: Bridging Law, Policy, Science, and Practice.”

In an interview with the media, Commander Philip Odoi-Narh from the Ghana Navy disclosed that maritime insecurity, particularly piracy and armed robbery at sea, has significantly declined since its peak in 2019 and 2020.

He attributed this to several measures, including interventions by coastal state navies and coast guards, collaboration with international partners like the European Union, West Africa, and the French Navy, as well as the Navy’s heightened focus on the issue. Additionally, efforts by individual countries to strengthen their maritime law enforcement agencies have helped reduce armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea.

“I presented statistics from 2020 to August 31 this year, and a clear analysis shows that maritime insecurity due to piracy and armed robbery has significantly declined since its peak between 2017 and 2020. This has been achieved for a range of reasons,” he emphasised.

Commander Odoi-Narh also highlighted the vital role played by the judiciary and other non-military stakeholders in addressing maritime insecurity. “The judiciary, responsible for legal finishing, and other actors have been instrumental in this progress,” he added.

Looking forward, Commander Odoi-Narh stressed the importance of further strengthening collaboration in maritime security across the Subregion and the Gulf of Guinea. He cautioned that while the situation has improved, this does not mean maritime insecurity is eradicated.

“The situation looking relatively better does not mean maritime insecurity is no more. It is only an affirmation that if we continue what we are doing and do more, the situation will be much better,” he explained.

He also noted that increasing external collaboration in regions like the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where maritime insecurity has surged due to competing interests, has shifted some focus away from these areas. However, he clarified that maritime security extends beyond piracy and armed robbery at sea.