Senior Maritime and Naval infantry leaders from over 40 countries across four continents have gathered in Accra, Ghana, for the second annual African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium (NILS).
The three-day event, which kicked off on Tuesday 30 April, 2024 on the theme; “Cooperation at Sea: Safeguarding African Maritime Security”, aims to enhance regional cooperation and address transnational maritime security challenges within African waters.
The summit brought together over 100 delegates as well as international partners and experts. The AMFS and NILS focused on key areas such as counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, and maritime domain awareness, as well as capacity building for African naval forces.
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his keynote address, applauded the Ghana Navy and the US Naval Forces Africa for their vision in convening the summit, and added that Ghana was committed to playing a leading role in promoting maritime security in the region.
He admonished the delegates to use the 3-day summit to take decisive actions to combat piracy and transnational crimes and enhance regional cooperation with international partners to share intelligence and best practices.
The US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer in an earlier address to the media, thanked the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Navy for co-hosting the summit, adding that it truly reflected the strong and continued cooperation. She extolled Ghana for being the leader in regional security and an exporter of peace.
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu in his opening address, emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing Africa's maritime security challenges. He thanked the United States (US) Naval Forces Africa and the US Marine Corps Forces Africa, for choosing Ghana as a destination for the largest gathering of maritime players.
Rear Admiral Yakubu also commended the Government of Ghana for resourcing the Ghana Navy with vessels to aid in combating piracy and transnational crimes, such as illegal fishing, oil theft and human trafficking among others.
The Commander, US Naval Forces Europe and Africa, Admiral Stuart B Munsch and the Commander, US Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, Major General Robert Sofge also took turns to address the media and the delegates at the summit.
The Delegates engaged in high-level discussions and panel sessions to share best practices and strengthen regional cooperation.
Present at the opening ceremony were Ministers of State, Chief of the Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Retired Generals, Heads of other security Services and the Diplomatic Community.
