Experts in Ghana’s maritime industry have sent out a clarion call to governments in the West African region to invest more into the acquisition of maritime security logistics and adoption of uniform procedures in the fight against piracy, that is bedevilling the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking on Eye on Port, maritime law consultant and legal practitioner, Dr. Emmanuel Kofi Mbiah, emphasised that necessary steps ought to be taken else the piracy menace could exacerbate to a point where the Gulf of Guinea becomes ungovernable.
Citing recent piracy figures, he said 162 incidents were recorded at the Gulf of Guinea in 2019, compared to 195 incidents recorded in 2020.
“Around April 2021, we have recorded almost about 47 incidents and we don’t know what will happen by the end of the year. But if what is happening in recent times is anything to go by, then it’s a cause for concern,” he said.
Harbour Master at the Port of Tema, Capt. Francis Kwesi Micah, doubled down on this assertion, saying if the right measures are not put in place, the consequences will be felt across board.
“Nations should be up and doing, it is a clear and present danger and we need to nip this canker in the bud. If we fail, we have no excuse,” he said.
Capt. Micah, while chronicling piracy in the Somali area in years past, recommended policy makers to take a cue from efforts made to combat the menace in the East Coast of Africa.
“It is only when we have more than enough logistics at sea and at vantage locations, and also when we call for support that we can succeed,” he said.
On the issue of employing armed guards to be deployed on the vessels, he said governments should introduce protocols that would regulate such operations.
“Governments are also mindful that these weapons end up in the hands of undisciplined armed guards who eventually become pirates themselves. So it needs to go with some enhanced seamless protocols that have to be worked out to ensure that these things are all in order,because if you are unable to do that it backfires,” he said.
Capt. Micah called on all nations along the Gulf of Guinea to take the fight against piracy seriously.
“It is important for all nations in the Gulf of Guinea to be up and doing. If we are unable to fight the canker now, then we stand to lose. Somalia was a failed state but their activities transcended into the Indian Ocean,” he said.
Dr.Mbiah revealed existing initiatives for the Ghana Navy to provide support for merchant and fishing vessels but he underscored how limited such interventions are.
“With respect to merchandise ships, they are liaising with the Ghana Navy to provide armed guards. Apart from the armed guards, naval vessels are also escorting vessels, which is very useful. This is one way of dealing with the issue, but it does not solve the problem in its entirety,” he said.
He also explained how the kidnapping dynamics havemade aggressive combat difficult to deploy at sea and further ashore.
“Once kidnapping comes into the fray, then they use the people they have kidnapped as human shields and consequently if you want to attack them, you need to be careful,” he stated.
Dr.Mbiah and Captain Micah revealed the sophistication and complexities associated with activities of pirates,the more reason why deterrent initiatives have to be adopted.
Dr.Mbiah, who is also former Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority said the modus operandi of the pirates is such that they have very fast boats, some with 500 horse power and above.
“If you are a vessel, you cannot chase them into the creeks because your draft will only get to a point. But because of the nature of the boats they are using, they are able to go into the creeks of the Niger delta, which is a safe place for them,” he said.
Captain Micah said the sophistication of the craft of the pirates is such that they use very powerful outboard motors.
They also urged governments to escalate their concerns to the international community so that when Africa falls shortthey will be able to assist.
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