(Accra, Ghana, September 10, 2024) The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has taken a monumental step toward gender equality in the maritime sector by launching the Code of Practice for Women, Peace, and Security Practitioners in Maritime Governance and Security in West and Central Africa. The event, held in Accra, aims to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in maritime security and enhance their roles in addressing the complex challenges facing the sector.
The maritime domain, critical to the economic, social, and security framework of West and Central Africa, is plagued by issues such as piracy, illicit fishing, and environmental degradation. Despite the pressing need for solutions, women continue to be underrepresented in policymaking and operational roles. While regional countries have incorporated the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda from UN Resolution 1325 into national policies, specific frameworks addressing women’s inclusion in the maritime sector have been notably absent.
The newly launched Code of Practice is designed to fill this gap, offering clear guidelines that prioritize women’s participation, protection, and advancement in maritime governance and security. Built on the four pillars of the WPS agenda—Participation, Protection, Prevention, and Relief and Recovery—the Code integrates regional frameworks such as the ECOWAS Plan of Action and the ECCAS Regional Action Plan for implementing Resolution 1325.
The Code is not only intended for government agencies but also for regional organizations and private sector stakeholders, promoting a gender-inclusive maritime security environment in the Gulf of Guinea.
Key Remarks and Support for Implementation
In his opening remarks at the launch ceremony, Maj. Gen. Richard Gyane, Commandant of the KAIPTC, highlighted the multifaceted challenges of the Gulf of Guinea’s maritime domain. He noted that through a consultative process, the KAIPTC distilled a set of principles based on UNSCR 1325 to guide efforts toward promoting women’s participation in maritime security.
“This Code will make a difference in the experiences of women practitioners across the sector,” Maj Gen Gyane said, while expressing gratitude to the Government of Denmark for supporting the project through the broader “Integrated Responses to Threats to Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Domain in West and Central Africa (2021-2025)” initiative.
Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu, Chief of Naval Staff of Ghana, also underscored the strides made in female inclusivity within the Ghana Navy and the broader Ghana Armed Forces. He expressed satisfaction with the increasing focus on gender diversity in maritime security, emphasizing that “a diverse gendered perspective in the maritime space offers a significant advantage in ensuring a safer and more secure maritime environment.”
Government Commitment to Gender Diversity
The launch witnessed strong support from high-level government officials. Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson, Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, affirmed her ministry’s dedication to the Code’s implementation, calling on all stakeholders—government, private sector, and civil society—to work together for its success. “The Ministry will continue to support initiatives that enhance women’s participation, particularly through training, capacity building, and leadership development,” she said in a speech delivered on her behalf.
Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the practical steps the Code offers to agencies such as the Ghana Maritime Authority and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. “A diverse and inclusive workforce strengthens the effectiveness of our maritime governance and security efforts,” Hon Asiamah stated in a speech read on her behalf, pledging the Ministry’s full commitment to the Code’s implementation.
International Support
Denmark, a key partner in the initiative, reiterated its commitment to integrating women’s perspectives into maritime security policies. H.E. Tom Nørring, the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, emphasized Denmark’s ongoing support for the KAIPTC and UNODC in building capacity for senior military and civilian maritime law enforcement officers. The Danish government, he noted, is working to establish a regional network of maritime professionals to advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization’s Women in Maritime Association (WIMA) for West and Central Africa. The launch of the Code of Practice for Women in Maritime Security represents a critical milestone in fostering a gender-balanced approach to maritime governance and security, setting the stage for a more inclusive future in the Gulf of Guinea.