The Akufo-Addo government is determined to resource the Ghana Navy to boost its efficiency in the fight against Maritime threats, vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has assured.
Addressing the Third Coastal and Maritime Surveillance Conference organized by the Ghana Armed Forces, Tuesday March 28, 2017 in Accra, he said government is fully aware of the unfolding trends in maritime security and the threats it posed to the country.
As a result, the vice president pledged the government’s commitment to fully equip the country’s Navy to aid it to effectively deal with the emerging maritime threats.
He said the discovery of oil and seismic activities renders Ghana’s “maritime domain a critical national asset with its attendant vulnerabilities” and that the Akufo-Addo government is “determined to equip the Ghana Navy and other stakeholders to be able to protect and to preserve those critical National assets.”
The maiden 2017 budget statement of the government read by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, said Dr. Bawumia captured the purchase of two offshore vessels with helicopter landing facilities for the Navy.
The government, he added plans to establish a “forward operating base” at the western border to train and equip “special forces” for emerging maritime threats, saying maritime security is a collaborative effort various agencies and neighbouring countries.
He said efforts were underway to equip other agencies including the Marine Police, the Attorney General Department and the Judiciary to be able to effectively prosecute maritime offences.
“We are also working with our neighbouring countries under the Yaoundé accord and code of conduct on maritime security, agreed at the summit of heads of states in Yaoundé in June 2013,” he added.
