PRE
SS RELEASE
As part of the implementation of its strategy to combat maritime insecurity in the ECOWAS region, the ECOWAS Commission is organizing a meeting of stakeholders from its Member States on maritime security and safety in Accra, GHANA, from September 5 to 7, 2023.
The overall objective of the meeting is to strengthen coordination and collaboration between differentmaritime stakeholders with a view to strengthening the full operationalization of the ECOWAS maritime security architecture to combat illicit maritime activities in the region. ECOWAS.
This meeting brought together participants from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Maritime Centers and representatives of ECOWAS Member States, on the one hand and
participants composed of mid- and high-level government officials, military personnel and civilians with extensive experience and expertise in the maritime domain, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Transport of Member States
on the other hand.
In his opening speech, the Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace & Security of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, PhD, thanked the host country and highlighted the efforts of ECOWAS in the fight against maritime insecurity including terrorist acts, drug trafficking and piracy and other maritime
offences. He encouraged the participants to provide solid recommendations which will be submitted to management for their adoption with a view to their applications in Member States.
Captain Ebenezer Yirenkyi, Director Naval Operations, Ghana Navy in his speech welcomed the participants and indicated the efforts made by Ghana in the fight against maritime insecurity which constitutes a scourge in the sub-region.
Finally, he pointed out that indicated that Ghana always remains available to support ECOWAS in the fight against maritime insecurity
In his opening speech, Honourable Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration ( Political and Economic )warmly welcomed the participants and thanked the ECOWAS Commission for choosing Ghana for this event.
He then praised Ghana's good collaboration with other ECOWAS member states.
He finally wished the participants and ECOWAS fruitful discussions for the success of this important meeting.
During these 3 days of work, the participants will share their experiences and strategies as well as recommendations which will be presented to the management of ECOWAS.