Accra, Ghana – 14 October 2026 – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has hosted the inaugural African Maritime Security Forum (AMSF), bringing together naval leaders, maritime security practitioners, researchers and international partners to examine the implications of global geopolitical uncertainty for Africa’s maritime security.
Held under the theme “The African Maritime Landscape in Times of Geopolitical Uncertainty in 2026 and Beyond,” the forum marks a significant expansion of the annual maritime security conference previously focused primarily on the Gulf of Guinea. The new platform connects maritime security perspectives from West, Southern and East Africa to strengthen regional cooperation and promote African-led responses to shared challenges. The forum is organised through a partnership between KAIPTC, the Royal Danish Defence College (RDDC) and the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA) at Stellenbosch University.
In his welcome address, the Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, described the inaugural forum as an important milestone in advancing African maritime governance. He explained that the transition from a Gulf of Guinea-focused conference to a continent-wide forum reflects the interconnected nature of maritime security threats and the need to address them through stronger cross-regional collaboration.
He noted that although piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has declined through regional frameworks and coordinated security efforts, challenges such as limited naval capacity, weak coastal governance, youth unemployment and marine pollution persist. He added that geopolitical tensions and disruptions along strategic routes, including the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz, are reshaping global shipping patterns and increasing pressure on Africa’s maritime security agencies.
He emphasised the need for stronger maritime domain awareness, emerging technologies, effective legal frameworks and regional cooperation, while expressing appreciation to the Government of Denmark and partner institutions for their continued support for maritime security capacity-building.
Denmark’s Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Jakob Linulf, reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to maritime security, stressing the importance of freedom of navigation and safe seas to global trade, with approximately 90 per cent of world trade transported by sea.
He highlighted Denmark’s decade-long cooperation with countries in the Gulf of Guinea and the Horn of Africa, which has contributed to reducing piracy and training over 1,000 military and civilian security officers. Denmark has also supported specialised maritime security training facilities in Ghana and Nigeria.
Ambassador Linulf cautioned that geopolitical tensions and the diversion of vessels around the Cape of Good Hope are placing additional pressure on Africa’s maritime security. He called for stronger national ownership, regional cooperation and effective implementation of the West and Central Africa Code of Conduct and the Djibouti Code of Conduct, reaffirming Denmark’s support for African-led solutions.
Prof. Ishmael Theletsane, Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), also underscored the importance of the forum in strengthening cooperation among African maritime stakeholders.
He noted that the four preceding meetings had been held in South Africa, making the maiden edition of the African Maritime Security Forum in Ghana a significant milestone in the partnership among the organising institutions. He commended KAIPTC, the Royal Danish Defence College and SIGLA at Stellenbosch University for their vision and sustained commitment to addressing Africa’s security challenges.
The Minister for Defence, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, emphasised Ghana’s commitment to the safety and security of the Gulf of Guinea, noting that the sea is not merely a boundary or a passage for commerce, but also a source of livelihood and a strategic avenue for trade vital to national and regional prosperity.
The Minister stressed that maritime threats do not respect borders, domains or jurisdictions, making collective action essential to protecting shared maritime spaces. He subsequently declared the forum open.
The forum’s deliberations focus on the impact of geopolitical competition and conflicts on African maritime security, persistent threats such as piracy, trafficking, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as the growing application of autonomous systems and other emerging technologies in maritime surveillance and security operations.
Participants are expected to share experiences, strengthen professional networks across West, Southern and East Africa, and develop practical recommendations to inform national and regional maritime security policies and capacity-building initiatives.
Through this expanded platform, KAIPTC and its partners aim to deepen cooperation among Africa’s maritime regions, safeguard freedom of navigation, and contribute to safer seas and a more secure and prosperous blue economy.