Developing A Comprehensive National Integrated Maritime Strategy
Background Ghana is a coastal state with vast maritime opportunities. The economy, livelihoods and culture of Ghanaians and the ocean are intricately linked. Efficient management of the oceans can greatly advance socio-economic growth and development in the country. With a 540km coastline, an extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and an extended continental shelf, the country […]
Simplifying Complexities
Background With the renewed focus on the ocean as essential to the attainment of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), it is no doubt that maritime security governance has been placed at the fore of national agendas of coastal states across the globe. Ghana remains no exception. The surge in piratical attacks in the Gulf […]
Illegal Activities & Poor Governance in the Fisheries Sector
Editor’s note: As we celebrate World Oceans Day 2021 under the theme “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods”, this policy brief addresses concerns of illegal activities and malpractices within the fisheries sector and their effects on the welfare and livelihoods of coastal communities, specifically in the Gulf of Guinea region. In furtherance of our commitment to […]
Maritime Governance BRIEF
OVERVIEW OF 2020 INCIDENTS Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, in 2020, revealed a continuity from previous years as well as new and emerging trends, particularly regarding the modus operandi of Pirate Action Groups (PAGs). In terms of absolute numbers, the statistics show an almost perfect hyperbola in actual incidents at sea when the years […]
GULF OF GUINEA PIRACY
INTRODUCTION Gulf of Guinea (GoG) piracy remains a great concern to the global community asincidents and attacks have continued to soar over the last decade. Although the scale of acts of piracy and maritime criminality generally vary from time to time – in response to states’ actions and the behaviour of the maritime industry to […]
REFLECTIONS ON AFRICA AND THE LAW OF THE SEA REGIME
Editor’s Note: On 25th July 2015, two historic events took place at the Headquarters of the Africa Union. The first was the launch of the Decade of African Seas and Oceans (2015-2025). The second was the lunch of the African Day of the Seas and Oceans, which is to be celebrated each year on 25 […]
AFRICAN ECONOMIC POWER ON RECESS?
On 31st August, 2016, news about the economic recession of one of Africa’s largest economies flooded hundreds of media outlets. BBC Business news reported: Nigeria has slipped into recession, with the latest growth figures showing the economy contracted by 2.06% between April and June. While news about Nigeria’s recession disseminated all around the world, the […]
CHALLENGES TO MARITIME SECURITY IN THE GULF OF GUINEA
In my most recent publication, I argue that the Gulf of Guinea presents a convolution of opportunities and challenges to the international community. The reasons are apparent in number of paradoxes. While the exploitation of the Gulf’s oil and gas resources can lead to immense socio-economic gains, the resultant gaping governance challenges may far outweigh […]
MARITIME SECURITY ALONG THE COASTS OF AFRICA:
Causal interface(s) has resulted in an intricate web of interactions and deepening nexus between maritime security and core societal interests such as food security, resource conflict, development, national and regional peace and security. Strategic Context With over 70% of the Earth’s surface covered by water, over 90% of global trade transported by sea and 60% […]
THE ABNJ AND AFRICAN INTERESTS
Today marks World Oceans Day, which by a resolution of the United Nations (UN) is slated for 8th June every year. A day set aside for celebrating the oceans cannot be underestimated. Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, contain close to 97% of the Earth’s water supply, host some of the world’s most […]
