The 4th International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) was officially opened at the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, Burma Camp, in Accra, where Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing maritime security and advancing sustainable ocean governance.
With the subject “Securing Africa’s Maritime Future: Collaboration, Technology, and Sustainability in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape,” this year’s IMDEC convened politicians, defense leaders, high-level officials, and maritime stakeholders from both inside and outside of Africa.
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Hon. Emelia Arthur gave the keynote presentation and underlined the importance of cooperation and innovation in preserving Ghana’s marine resources.
The Ministry is actively implementing cutting-edge surveillance and monitoring technologies, such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS), Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (e-CDT), and Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, she said.
“This conference is not only a celebration of maritime advancement but also a platform to align our national blue economy strategies with broader continental frameworks such as the African Union’s 2050 AIM Strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Hon. Arthur stated.
The Minister also emphasized the Ministry’s cooperation with the Ghana Navy and regional organizations such as the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), the significance of joint patrols in safeguarding Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the ongoing legal reforms to improve fisheries enforcement.
In her speech, she emphasized the value of cooperative operations and capacity building in discouraging IUU fishing practices and praised the Ghana Navy as a strategic partner.
She also emphasized how crucial it is to build up prosecution capabilities, acquire more patrol boats, and promote regional cooperation through ATLAFCO and ECOWAS.
Hon. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Ghana, gave the keynote message during the inauguration event, while Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, Chief of the Naval Staff, gave a welcome address.
Source: newsthemegh.com