The College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS), University of Ghana recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ghana Navy during a high-level meeting with stakeholders on maritime domain awareness themed “Maritime Domain Awareness: the role of Naval Forces and Academia’. The collaboration aims to leverage the expertise and resources of both institutions to improve surveillance and monitoring efforts, as well as develop potential solutions to address threats within the nation's maritime space.
Rear Admiral Issah Adams Yakubu, addressing the guests
At a brief ceremony held to formalise the already existing partnership, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Issah Adams Yakubu expressed his appreciation for the collaboration and commended CBAS for bringing academia and maritime stakeholders together to discuss issues related to marine security.
He noted that the signing of the MOU was a demonstration of the commitment of both parties to continuously explore new avenues to harness the vast potential of the maritime domain for sustainable economic growth and development, as well as to strengthen the relationship between the Ghana Navy and the University of Ghana.
In his view, Maritime Domain Awareness is essential for regulating activities at sea. He identified piracy, armed robbery and smuggling as some of the challenges hindering the ability to realise the full potential of the blue economy. Additionally, he noted that maritime blindness prevents the identification of threats and the effective deployment of the necessary resources to counter them. Therefore, there is a need to engage the relevant stakeholders to develop the appropriate strategies to address the threats.
He was hopeful that the meeting's outcome would serve as a springboard for a trilateral relationship among maritime security operatives, academia, and industry.
Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman delivering his remarks
The Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, expressed his gratitude to the Ghana Navy for their productive collaboration with the University of Ghana, particularly with the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences. He also acknowledged their role in enhancing the academic and practical experience of students by providing them with opportunities at sea to prepare them for the challenges of the industry.
Prof. Onwona-Agyeman provided an overview of the MarCNoWA project highlighting its importance to the sustainability of the ocean. This project involves monitoring ocean processes and maritime activities, detecting illegal fishing, oil spills, and vessel movements, and providing timely data to enhance maritime security. He expressed the University’s commitment to supporting the Navy with the necessary resources and expertise to strengthen Ghana's maritime security efforts. The MarCNoWA Project is led by the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana which is being implemented in 18 coastal countries in North and West Africa, as part of the African-wide GMES & Africa Programme.
Dr. Tidiane Ouattara during the delivery of his speech
The President of the African Space Council, Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, expressed his excitement about the collaboration and encouraged the continuous training of students to enhance innovation and research. He believed that the students who would benefit from this training would be an asset not only to Ghana but to the entire African continent.
Mr. Cephas Adjei Mensah
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Mr. Cephas Adjei Mensah, the Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management, highlighted the importance of leveraging home-grown solutions and local expertise to develop innovative technologies and strategies to solve maritime challenges. He noted that the University of Ghana, through its Global Monitoring for Environment and Security & Africa Programme, has been leading efforts to promote maritime domain awareness and advance research and development in the field.
He urged stakeholders to collaborate and use technology effectively to ensure the sustainable use of maritime resources.
Presentations were made by Dr. Kwame Adu Agyekum of the University of Ghana and Commander Philip Odoi-Narh of the Ghana Navy on various aspects of Ghana's maritime security dynamics, economic impact, losses, resource management, and maritime domain awareness.
Signing of the MOU
The MOU was signed by Rear Admiral Issah Adams Yakubu and Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman.
A group photograph after the event