President Akufo-Addo has emphasised the need for African leaders to join forces in combating illegal activities that are affecting the continent's coastlines.

Addressing attendees at the second annual African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and the third Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa (NILS-A) in Accra, on Tuesday, April 30, the President highlighted the urgency of collaborative efforts and shared responsibility in addressing maritime security challenges across Africa.

He called for stronger cooperation among African navies, stressing the importance of joint exercises to tackle existing threats and enhance maritime awareness along the coastlines.

President Akufo-Addo stressed that African countries need to work together to effectively combat piracy, illegal fishing, and other criminal activities that undermine maritime security and economic development.

He urged African leaders to prioritize maritime security and invest in the necessary resources and capabilities to safeguard their waters and promote maritime trade and commerce.

In conclusion, the President reiterated the importance of unity and cooperation among African nations to tackle the common challenges facing their coastlines and ensure the sustainable development of their maritime resources.

“There are increasing numbers of other incidences occurring in the territorial and international waters across the entire African continent. Illegal oil bunker, kidnapping at sea for ransom, illegal fishing, terrorism and drug trafficking are common threats across our territorial waters.”

“These transnational crimes do not only threaten national and regional peace and security, but they also come at a great cost to the economies of both coastal and noncoastal states.

“In the face of these challenges, it is imperative that we foster greater cooperation and collaboration amongst African maritime forces by working together, sharing intelligence and coordinating our efforts so we can address effectively maritime security threats and safeguard our maritime domain,” he stated.