Former Chief of Naval Staff, Issah Yakubu, has called for a major expansion and professionalisation of the Ghana Maritime Police Unit to strengthen law enforcement in the country’s territorial waters while enabling the Ghana Navy to focus on higher-level maritime security operations.
He said effective maritime security requires stronger collaboration among state institutions rather than relying solely on the Ghana Navy.
Speaking at the 50th Republic Anniversary Lecture 2026 in Accra on Wednesday, July 1, on the theme “From Sahel to the Gulf: Violent Extremism and Maritime Insecurity in West Africa,” Yakubu proposed that the Maritime Police Unit be strengthened to assume full responsibility for law enforcement within Ghana’s territorial waters—from zero to 12 nautical miles—as well as in the country’s port areas.
According to him, these areas form part of Ghana’s land territory, where domestic laws are fully applicable and require a dedicated policing presence.
Yakubu explained that transferring routine law enforcement duties to the Maritime Police would allow the Navy to concentrate on more complex operations, including countering piracy, protecting offshore assets and safeguarding Ghana’s broader maritime interests.
“…and one way to achieve this is a model of embedding or seconding experienced naval officers into the Marine Police leadership and training structures. And this has been done with the Maritime Authority. Naval officers have the seafaring and tactical expertise that a largely land-focused police service might lack. By leading Marine Police units and sharing knowledge, they can inculcate naval standards and skills within the unit,” he said.
He also urged Parliament to prioritise the passage of the Maritime Offences Bill, describing the proposed legislation as critical to strengthening Ghana’s legal framework for combating maritime crime.
