Retool navy to fight pirates -Retired Col

A proposal has gone to the government to retool the Ghana Navy so as to make strategic impact in combating kidnapping at sea. The retooling package should include, not only the provision of new naval craft, but also satellite/drone services and comprehensive human intelligence.

Col Festus Aboagye (Rtd), a Security Analyst with the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Center in Accra, made the proposal in the wake of multiplying armed attacks on fishing vessels in the Gulf of Guinea.

Col Aboagye also proposed judicious distribution of the limited resources to the appropriate institutions, which application brings the needed results.

According to him, since the pirates live on land before operating at sea, it is strategically important that intelligence must pick their identities and curtailed, so as to render them ineffective and make their dastardly acts unattractive.

He continued that National Security operatives could collaborate with the relevant agencies to keep such elements in check by monitoring their movements.

On the satellite and drone application, he intimated that dedicated desks at National Security could be assigned to receive feedback for instant onward transmission to the Navy at sea for prompt action.

The Chronicle gathered from security circles that for about ten years now, a proposal put in by the navy to the authorities for the procurement of two security drones for use at sea is yet to get approval.

They are to be stationed in Tema for the Eastern Naval Command, stretching the Ghanaian eastern coast from Aflao to Winneba, and the Western Naval Command to Axim respectively.

The acquisition of fast patrol boats and offshore patrol vessels, the latter which can spend longer periods at sea, are the most needed equipment this time, and with the complement of satellite and drone systems, can assure safe usage of our territorial waters.

Some maritime operators, who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity, expressed mixed feelings about the Fisheries Commission’s unpreparedness to bring the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) based in Tema to life.

According to them, it is either somebody somewhere is profiting from the non-functioning of the equipment, by way of aiding illegality at sea, or simply being ineffective.

The system is linked through satellite to all Ghanaian flagged fishing vessels across the globe, leading to the safety of these vessels and crew, as signals are activated instantly to base and also the closest navies and aircrafts for assistance.

At the same time, the Fisheries Commission of Ghana monitors these vessels to ensure that they do not engage in illegal fishing, illicit transportation of smalls arms, drug, and human trafficking.

The VMS, considered the country’s eye on the sea, has been off close to eight months now because the transponders, which cost €17,000, have not been purchased.

Ironically, the state has an active contract with a satellite service provider which keeps running, though our system is not functioning.

Further information gathered by the paper revealed that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), so as to ensure the safety of vessels at anchorage, provides daily patrols with a combined crew of its security, Marine Police and the Ghana Navy.

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