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The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has proposed the establishment of a national maritime fusion centre in the country.
The specialised facility will bring together all key maritime actors to detect, prevent, investigate and respond to threats at sea.
The centre's core functions will include the promotion of maritime safety, security and blue economy.
The Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Naval Capt. Dr Kamal-Deen Ali (retd) indicated that Ghana's maritime domain, like many others, presented a mix of opportunities and threats.
He was speaking at the 20th meeting of the National Maritime Security Committee (NMSC), an inter-agency body dedicated to fostering national collaboration within Ghana's maritime industry.
The meeting discussed critical initiatives aimed at bolstering the country's maritime security.
The committee, chaired by the Director-General of the GMA, had representatives from 12 core agencies, including the Ghana Navy, the Ghana Air Force, the Marine Unit of the Ghana Police Service, and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
A key highlight of the meeting was the need to revisit the execution of "EXERCISE AFARBO”, an exercise conceptualised and planned to rigorously test the harmonised standard operating procedures (HSOPs) of all maritime-linked agencies in the country to enhance cooperation in crucial areas such as vessel and personnel rescue, arrest, detention, investigation, and prosecution within the country's jurisdiction.
The committee also considered adding the Cybersecurity Authority as a supporting member to address growing digital threats in the maritime sector.
Naval Capt. Dr Ali said although piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea might originate far from Ghana's shores, they still impacted the country.
The establishment of a fusion centre, he said, would, therefore, be instrumental in addressing the threats, along with acts related to ship-hijacking and attacks on critical offshore oil and gas infrastructure.
He also emphasised 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,” he said.
Other resource-related threats, such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as illicit activities like drug and human trafficking, would also be the focus of the fusion centre.
Naval Capt. Dr Ali described the proposed structure as a "national situation room" where core agencies, including the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Navy, Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Immigration Service, and the Fisheries Commission, would work collaboratively to leverage the country's ocean and inland water potential for socio-economic development, in line with the government’s agenda of a self-reliant economy through the promotion of round-the-clock economic activity and job creation.
“By protecting key assets such as shipping vessels, offshore installations, and fishing resources, the centre will also enhance trade, tourism and overall economic growth,” he said, adding that while the project would come with running costs for data, internet and equipment, it was a necessary investment for sustaining and growing the country's maritime sector.
Naval Capt. Dr Ali expressed hope that the facility would complement efforts at ensuring safety and security, as well as the nation's broader economic vision, sustenance and growth.
