African Maritime Security Forum opens in Accra to combat piracy

The inaugural African Maritime Security Forum has opened at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, bringing together security practitioners and policymakers from across the continent. Held under the theme "The African Maritime Landscape in Times of Geopolitical Uncertainty in 2026 and Onwards," the two-day event focuses on developing a unified continental strategy to address evolving maritime threats. Participants are seeking to move beyond regional responses toward a more integrated approach that involves enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated operations.

Air Vice Marshal David A. Akrong, the Commandant of KAIPTC, highlighted that maritime issues such as geopolitical tensions and organized crime have become increasingly complex and transcend national boundaries. While he acknowledged that piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has significantly declined due to robust regional cooperation, he warned of emerging risks elsewhere. Specifically, he pointed to renewed piracy threats in the Somali Basin and the persistent challenges of illegal fishing, trafficking, and environmental degradation. Akrong argued that these problems are often rooted in deeper socio-economic issues, including weak governance and high youth unemployment, which require innovative and holistic solutions.

Ghana's Minister for Defence underscored the importance of international partnerships during the opening sessions, citing Ghana’s ongoing collaboration with Denmark as a successful model for maritime security governance. The Minister emphasized that the interconnected nature of maritime threats necessitates sustainable funding and the acquisition of modern capabilities to monitor African waters effectively. The forum serves as a platform for stakeholders to examine the effectiveness of current regional policies and to identify gaps in the existing security architecture.

The gathering aims to produce a set of actionable recommendations to strengthen maritime security governance across Africa. By fostering closer cooperation between African nations and their international partners, the forum seeks to ensure a safer maritime environment that can support economic growth and stability. As the sessions continue, the focus remains on building a resilient framework that can withstand the pressures of global geopolitical shifts while protecting Africa’s vital blue economy.