Stakeholders meet to fashion out an implementation plan for the proposed national integrated maritime strategy

As part of activities leading to the endorsement of the National Integrated Maritime Strategy (NIMS), the Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Ministry of National Security, Ghana and Security Governance Initiative (SGI) are organizing a three-day National Integrated Maritime Strategy implementation workshop (July 14- 16) with the aim of developing a comprehensive implementation action plan for the NIMS. The Implementation Strategy Workshop which is taking place at the Eastern Premier Hotel, Koforidua, is expected to critically analyze all the Strategic Objectives and guiding principles present in the NIMS document and offer a collaborative response to achieving these objectives. The six strategic objectives include;

1. Strengthen the framework for maritime governance
2. Ensure the safety and security of Ghana’s maritime domain
3. Develop a thriving Blue Economy
4. Protect the marine and coastal environment
5. Promote capacity building, research, awareness and knowledge-sharing in the maritime domain
6. Develop dynamic and diversified regional and international cooperation

Following from the Vice President, H.E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s comments on July 7, 2021, at the just ended International Maritime Defence Conference and Exhibition (IMDEC), on the importance of the endorsement of the NIMS document, this workshop is timely and inclusive as it brings together all stakeholders in Ghana’s maritime domain. It is expected that the Implementation Workshop will come out with a Strategic Implementation Plan that will be adopted by all stakeholders and eventually by the Government of Ghana. As a nation striving to achieve the tenets of the Blue Economy and owing to global trade and Africa’s quest for a Continental Free Trade Area, maritime domain security is key to the achievement of these goals. Ensuring a secure and efficient maritime domain for the achievement of the Blue Economy, sustainable development and safety at sea, should be of utmost importance to Government.

The workshop will see participants including key stakeholders from the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Transport, Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Navy, The Danish Embassy, Ghana Shippers Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and many others.

The Workshop is funded by the Kingdom of Denmark.