The KAIPTC, with support from the Danish Government, has initiated various activities under the ‘Integrated Responses to Threats to Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Domain in West and Central Africa’ project. The project which commenced in 2022 seeks to enhance knowledge and awareness of maritime security issues over the next 5 years.
Field visits have been conducted in six countries (Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal) since the start of the programme. A draft maritime code of practice has also been developed to provide guidance on women’s involvement in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. This was presented at a high-level meeting for women in maritime security held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in September 2023. The Yaoundé meeting aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among key stakeholders from Gulf of Guinea countries including the Gulf of Guinea Commission, the International Criminal Court, and maritime institutions.
The Yaoundé meeting was preceded by a prior two-day seminar in Benin on the theme ‘Harnessing the potential of women in the Blue economy’ and produced an eleven-point communique adopted by the participants . The communique called for states in the Gulf of Guinea to adopt policies and programs aimed at dismantling patriarchal structures that hinder women’s experiences in the maritime space, while promoting women’s leadership and participation in the blue economy.
Some participants at the capacity building course on Developing a Maritime Security Culture in the Gulf of Guinea in Pointe Noire, Congo Brazzaville. September 2023
As part of the project three courses were conducted in Congo Brazzaville (Pointe Noire), Ghana (KAIPTC), and Nigeria (Lagos) and brought together 30 maritime practitioners from four ECCAS countries (Congo Brazzaville, Angola, Cameroon, and Gabon) to discuss and exchange experiences on regional maritime security challenges.
Two courses on maritime security reporting was also organized in October and November in Ghana and Nigeria, to improve the knowledge base and skill sets of media practitioners and communication officers in maritime security agencies towards accurate reportage on maritime security issues in the GoG. Altogether 44 personnel were trained in the two capacity building courses, one on the multinational level and the other for only Nigerian nationals.
Participants on board a Navy Ship at the Tema Fishing Harbor during a Sea Trip for the course on Maritime Security Reporting, October 2023.