As part of activities to endorse 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) is organizing a three-day National Integrated Maritime Strategy implementation workshop.
The workshop, which will span between July 14, 2021, and July 16, 2021, aims at 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 analyse all the Strategic Objectives and guiding principles present in the NIMS document and offer a collaborative response to achieving six strategic objectives namely;
- To strengthen the framework for maritime governance
- Ensure the safety and security of Ghana’s maritime domain
- Develop a thriving blue economy
- Protect the marine and coastal environment
- Promote capacity building, research, awareness and knowledge-sharing in the maritime domain
- Develop dynamic and diversified regional and international cooperation
Following the Vice President, 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, according to stakeholders, should be of utmost importance to Government.
The workshop will host participants and 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, many others.
The workshop is funded by the Kingdom of Denmark.
