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Greater Co-Operation key to safeguarding Maritime Domain – Pres Akufo-Addo
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has called for greater levels of co-operation and collaboration amongst the broad spectrum of global maritime stakeholders.
“No nation can afford to do it alone. Ghana, being cognizant of her responsibilities as a coastal state, is playing her part in collaborating with the international maritime community towards enhancing maritime security in the region and on the entire African continent,” he said.
That is why, “the African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium, thus, provide us with a unique opportunity to strengthen our partnerships, and enhance our collective capabilities.”
President Akufo-Addo said this at the opening of the second African Maritime Forces Summit and third Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium Africa in Accra on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Held under the theme, “Cooperation at Sea: Safeguarding African Maritime Security”, President the African Maritime Forces Summit and Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium, provide us with a unique opportunity to strengthen our partnerships, and enhance our collective capabilities through constructive dialogue, exchange of best practices, and exploring innovative solutions to the maritime security challenges facing our continent.”
Recognising the Gulf of Guinea region as a key route for international trade that connects all the major continents, from the Middle East and Asia to Europe and the Americas and the growing investments in the region, especially in offshore oil and gas infrastructures, he said the coastal trading and maritime traffic are bound to increase and with this growing wealth and geo-strategic relevance, the region has to cope with both traditional and emerging maritime security threats.
Whilst recognising that these transnational crimes do not only threaten national and regional peace and stability, but also come at a great cost to the economies of both coastal and non-coastal states, he was happy to note that, “piracy and armed robbery at sea, which are the most visible symptoms of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, have, as a result of the co-ordination of efforts of the Nigerian and Ghanaian navies, been appreciably suppressed” and though they still remain important threats to national and regional maritime activities.
It is in lieu of this, he continued, that is why it is “imperative that we foster greater co-operation and collaboration amongst African maritime forces. By working together, sharing intelligence, and coordinating our efforts, we can address effectively maritime security threats, and safeguard our maritime domain.”
He noted that, to this end, several collaborative efforts have been advanced by African countries which included regional collaborations between neighbouring countries to improve the approach to dealing with maritime crimes such as the operationalisation of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct to deal with maritime crimes and the revision of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, which had been moribund for some time, to contribute to securing the peace and stability of the Gulf of Guinea.
On the part of Ghana, he pointed out government’s commitment towards the retooling of the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Armed Forces, amply demonstrated in the commissioning of some twenty vessels for the Navy with the process of acquiring two Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Navy also far advanced as well as the building of a new Naval Base in the Western Region which is also nearly completed.
“These investments would help safeguard the security of our maritime space, and lead to an accelerated growth of our blue economy. Other African countries have shown similar commitments, and collaboration with our key partners have ensured the significant improvement in the security of Africa’s maritime domain,” he said.
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.