Ghana Navy, Italy deepen cooperation on maritime security

The Ghana Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with Italy to enhance maritime security, build operational capabilities and promote stability in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Acting Chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore Ben Baba Abdul, made the commitment when Italy’s Defence Attaché to Abuja, Colonel Antonio Di Biaso, who has oversight responsibility for Ghana, paid him a courtesy call on Wednesday in Accra.

Commodore Abdul highlighted the strategic and economic importance of the Gulf of Guinea, citing its hydrocarbon resources, marine biodiversity and contribution to food security.

He said protecting the region’s resources and sea lanes required stronger international partnerships, including joint naval exercises, personnel exchanges, capacity-building programmes and timely intelligence sharing to address emerging maritime threats.

The Acting Chief of the Naval Staff also called for increased technical cooperation in specialised maritime fields, particularly the upgrading of the Ghana Navy’s Hydrographic Unit.

He identified oceanography, meteorology, hydrographic surveying, information technology and cybersecurity as other areas with potential for deeper Ghana-Italy collaboration.

Commodore Abdul said enhanced cooperation in these areas would strengthen the Ghana Navy’s ability to monitor and respond to maritime security threats while supporting the protection of Ghana’s maritime interests.

Italy’s Defence Attaché to Ghana, Colonel Antonio Di Biaso, said his visit was intended to strengthen existing defence agreements and explore new areas of cooperation between Ghana and Italy.

He reaffirmed Italy’s readiness to support the Ghana Navy through joint training, technical assistance and the sharing of defence technology.

The Defence Attaché further noted Italy’s strategic interest in maintaining safe and open sea lanes along the West African coast and assured the Ghana Navy of the Italian Armed Forces’ commitment to sustained professional exchanges.

He said continued cooperation would contribute to addressing shared maritime security challenges and promoting stability in the Gulf of Guinea.