Service Chiefs in a group photograph during the closing ceremony of IMDEC 2025
CHIEF OF Army Staff, Lt. General William Agyapong, has called on African leaders to take a second look at the existing security strategies that govern the maritime domain on the continent.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 4th edition of the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC 2025), the Chief of Defence Staff cited recent incidents, including the Orange Frost kidnapping near São Tomé and the Sea Panther attack off southeastern Nigeria, as a stark reminder that piracy and armed robbery remain serious challenges.
“More worryingly, the recent kidnapping of a Ghanaian national serves as a sobering reminder that no nation is immune. Maritime security is not just a national concern, but a shared regional and global responsibility,” he emphasised.
Lt. Gen. Agyapong advocated for enhancing the maritime security structure to help in combating threats along the maritime domain, stating that Africa’s maritime domain holds great promise, but also faces evolving threats, including illegal fishing, pollution, and shifting global politics, despite reported declines in maritime crimes in parts of the world.
He added that incidents such as the hijacking of vessels and piracy attacks southeast of Nigeria remind us that piracy and armed robbery remain consistent concerns.
However, he assured that the incorporation of technological innovation and collaborative frameworks demonstrate that meaningful steps are being taken to safeguard marine resources.
Lt. Gen. Agyapong indicated that continued development of platforms like the regional information system, Yaoundé Architecture, and the operationalisation of the African Union’s combined maritime task force will be crucial in addressing these challenges.
He said the forum has served as a strategic bridge between policymakers, naval leaders, the private sector, and international partners, while noting that stakeholders should endeavour to sustain the momentum generated by IMDEC 2025.
“Let us deepen our partnerships, continue investing in technology, and align our strategies toward building a safer, more secure, and prosperous maritime domain for Africa,” he stressed.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing underscored the urgent need for enhanced interagency collaboration among coastal African nations to strengthen maritime security and fully harness the opportunities presented by the blue economy.
He highlighted the growing threats facing the region’s waters, including piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and irregular migration—challenges which he described as serious impediments to maritime economic growth.
Referring to Senegal’s national maritime strategy, the Chief Staff Officer pointed out that the country’s blueprint for tackling economic vulnerabilities should serve as a reference model for other nations.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke