Kofi Ampeah Woode
The 4th edition of the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) kicked off in Accra, Ghana, with the Government describing it as a critical platform for maritime dialogue, capacity building, and strategic cooperation across the African continent.
Delivering the keynote address for the opening ceremony on Tuesday July 8 2025, on behalf of the President of Ghana, and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – His Excellency John Mahama, his Chief of Staff – Mr Julius Debrah called for the application of technology, as a critical tool, in the quest to sustain a safe and secure maritime domain.
The Chief of Staff at the Presidency referred to IMDEC as one that has matured into a forum strengthening maritime collaborations, particularly among navies and security agencies operating in and around the Gulf of Guinea (G0G).
He also cited IMDEC as delivering notable improvements in coordination, intelligence sharing, and joint operations readiness, which has significantly enhanced maritime security in the region.
In calling for technological innovations, he also urged all stakeholders to be guided by military doctrine, partnership, and the readiness to respond to maritime threats in the GoG in real time, knowing that maritime security must go hand in hand with environmental and economic sustainability, for “As we seek to secure our waters, we must also preserve them”, he advised.
Mr Debrah stated succinctly that protecting marine biodiversity, combating pollution, and adapting to climate change, are not optional for any state or non-state actor, as they are essential for the survival of life and the prosperity of future generations.
“As part of our eight-pillar strategy under the National Reset Agenda, Ghana aims to become West Africa’s premier regional hub for trade and investment. This will be more possible through ports expansions, industrial corridors being strengthened to connect local businesses with the African Continental Free Trade Area”, the Chief of Staff stated.
As conference host, Rear Admiral (R/Adm) Godwin Livinus Bessing – Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Ghana Navy, said IMDEC has become a landmark platform for fostering international cooperation, strategic dialogue and forward-looking action, in the maritime defence space and security domain.
Dealing with some specifics, the Naval Chief said although global piracy and armed robbery incidents have stabilized in recent years, high-risk areas, such as the GoG and the Strait of Singapore, remain of concern.
He cited kidnapping incidents of the Orange Frost vessel near Sao Tome in May, the Sea Panther attack southeast of Nigeria in April, and the kidnapping of a Ghanaian-flagged fishing vessel crew off the coast of Accra in April, all three in 2025, to indicate that although the GoG has recorded low numbers of negative sea incidents, a potential resurgence lurks.
Isolated as the number of incidents may be, Admiral Bessing said, such incidents expose the trans-boundary nature of maritime threats, and reinforce a shared responsibility of ensuring maritime security.
He therefore called for deeper collaborative efforts, reinforcing naval capabilities, enhanced port security, implementing frameworks such as the Yaounde Architecture for Regional Information Systems (YARIS), and timely naval interventions, which he acknowledged have all contributed to advancing regional maritime security in the GoG zone.
Commending the African Union Peace and Security Council’s establishment of the Combined Maritime Task Force headquarters in Nigeria, R/Adm Bessing said with its concept of operations now adopted by ten GoG littoral states, the region has taken a major step towards forming a credible and structured multinational maritime response.
IMDEC 25 under the theme “Securing Africa’s Maritime Future: Collaboration, Technology and Sustainability in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape”, aimed to address through dialogue, innovation, and partnership, as African navies and their international counterparts leverage on advanced technologies, to enhance safety and operational effectiveness at sea.
The event co-organized by Ghana Navy and Great Minds Event Management of the United Arab Emirates, had over 200 delegates from more than 25 countries, including 15-plus chiefs of navies and their representatives, experienced panelists, high-ranking Officials, respected veterans, members of the diplomatic corps, and over 40 industry partners and exhibitors.
The Chiefs of Navies and Coastguards, Admirals and their representatives were from Cameroon, China, la Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, France, Italy, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Turkey, the United States of America, amongst others.
The conference aspect of IMDEC 2025 commenced with the CNS of Senegal – R/Adm Abdou Sene making a presentation on “Resolution of Security Issues in the GoG, from an Atlantic Perspective”.
The CNS of Mauritania followed-up with his country’s approach to integrating maritime security with sustainable development, after which presentations from international defence technology and solution providers were made, followed by a panel discussion with experts from NATO and West African institutions on ‘Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics’.
Dignitaries present included Ghana’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture – Madam Emelia Arthur; Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Defence – Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi; the Chief of the Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces – Lieutenant General William Agyapong; Chief of the Army Staff, Ghana Army – Major General Lawrence Gbetanu, amongst many.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
