The Maritime Action Platform (MAP III), a two-day seminar co-organised by the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (Zone F) and the Royal Danish Defence College, successfully concluded at Alisa Hotel in Accra, Ghana, on Friday, 7 May 2026. The programme was aimed at enhancing maritime security within the Gulf of Guinea through dialogue, collaboration, and actionable policy recommendations.
The seminar addressed key maritime threats within the region, including piracy, smuggling of arms by sea, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), while highlighting the need for stronger regional coordination and cooperation among Gulf of Guinea states.
The workshop brought together maritime authorities, policymakers, security agencies, fishing industry stakeholders, academics, commercial shipping representatives, and international organisations to deliberate on prevailing maritime challenges and propose practical solutions to strengthen regional maritime governance and security.
During the programme,Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, the Chief of Naval Staff, speaking on behalf of Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, the Deputy Minister for Defence, said maritime threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, armed robbery at sea, and small arms smuggling continued to undermine regional peace and economic development.
Ambassador Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah stated that collaborative regional efforts were contributing significantly to improved security within the Gulf of Guinea. He further commended the Government of Ghana for its sustained efforts and strategic interventions aimed at enhancing safety and security within the country’s maritime domain.
The Director of Zone F, Capt. Navy Daniel Gnamien Ehu, also delivered remarks, urging member states to strengthen cooperation and work collectively towards achieving comprehensive and sustainable solutions to maritime security challenges within the Gulf of Guinea.
The seminar concluded with key findings, policy recommendations, and actionable observations aimed at strengthening maritime security and enhancing the role of Ghanaian parliamentarians in community engagement and maritime advocacy.
The programme was sponsored by the Peace and Stabilisation Fund’s Maritime Security Programme in the Gulf of Guinea.