The Multinational Maritime Coordination Center Zone F has commenced a two-week human development training course on Maritime Domain Awareness in Accra.
The course, which was opened on Monday February 10, 2020 features 32 participants from Ghana, Cote d’ Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Togo.
The course is part of the UK Government’s partnership aimed at fostering effective collaboration, and coordination among member states of Zone F and the shipping industry.
The course instructors are drawn from the Royal Navy, the UK Police and Border Force Officers.
The content of the course is designed for staff of Maritime Regulatory Authorities, Law enforcement and cross-border staff, fisheries, oil and gas as well as commercial maritime actors.
Additionally, the staff and operators from the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) and National Maritime Operation Centers (MOCs) will receive some mentoring from the instructors.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Ian Walker acknowledged the rapid transformation of the centre.
He also pledged the UK government’s commitment to partner and assist in improving the security and defence of Ghana and other West African Countries.
“The long term stability, peace and prosperity of Ghana and the Sub-region really matters to the United Kingdom. We truly believe that a prosperous West Africa is in the UK’s national interest, that’s why we seek to build development partnerships.”
“We have partnerships across defence, development and security because, we really do believe that building those partnerships across the countries’ maritime and military institutions actually does help us to achieve our shared goal of a secured, prosperous and a peaceful Ghana and West Africa…A key pillar to all of us is our security cooperation,” he said.
On his part, the guest of honour and Deputy Minister for Defence Major Derrick Oduro (Rtd) extolled the UK High Commission and government for committing resources towards the improvement of the centre.
“Looking at the cross-section of countries represented on this course and the diverse background of participants and stakeholders, permit me, on behalf of the government and the good people of Ghana to commend the UK High Commission in Ghana for supporting this capacity development training,” the deputy minister said.
Major Oduro further underscored the need for such training courses to facilitate easy collaboration in ensuring maritime security.
He said “ to win the fight against maritime piracy and other transnational crimes at sea requires well-trained professionals backed by the necessary legal framework to ensure criminals are brought to justice to serve as deterrence.
This can only be possible when all stakeholders understand the problem and what needs to be done from a common point of viewpoint. Creating a common understanding requires training together and harmonizing procedures within a seemingly volatile Maritime environment”
The Director of MMCC Zone F Commander YussifBenning also reiterated his outfit’s commitment to ensuring effective collaboration with all member states to secure the maritime space.
He further admonished participants to take the course seriously because the content will be replicated at their places of work.
The course is expected to end on the Friday February 21, 2020 at the head office of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre Zone F in Accra, Ghana.