President Mahama pushes stronger Ghana-Gabon maritime security partnership in Gulf of Guinea
President John Dramani Mahama has called for strengthened cooperation between Ghana and Gabon to address maritime security threats and promote sustainable use of resources in the Gulf of Guinea.
The President said both countries, as maritime nations, shared a responsibility to protect their waters, combat piracy and illegal fishing and advance the blue economy.
President Mahama made the remarks during bilateral discussions with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema at the Jubilee House in Accra.
He said Ghana and Gabon had a common interest in safeguarding the marine environment and ensuring that coastal communities benefited from sustainable economic activities.
“As maritime nations bordering the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana and Gabon have a shared interest in promoting maritime security, combating piracy and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, protecting the marine ecosystem and advancing the blue economy as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth,” President Mahama said.
The President said closer cooperation in the maritime sector would strengthen efforts to address challenges affecting coastal countries and improve the management of marine resources.
He noted that fisheries presented an important opportunity for collaboration between the two countries, particularly in sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture development and fish processing.
“Agriculture and fisheries also present significant opportunities for collaboration,” he said.
“As maritime nations endowed with abundant natural resources, Ghana and Gabon can deepen cooperation in sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture development, fish processing, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural research and food security initiatives,” he added.
President Mahama said such cooperation would support livelihoods, strengthen coastal communities and promote responsible management of shared natural resources.
He also highlighted the need for stronger institutional cooperation, including technical exchanges and capacity-building initiatives, to improve maritime governance.
The President expressed confidence that the discussions with President Oligui Nguema would open new avenues for cooperation and further strengthen relations between Ghana and Gabon.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
