The Honourable Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah has called for environmental and economic sustainability at this year’s International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) as Navy Heads, Admirals, and Marshalls meet in Ghana to discuss maritime security on the African continent.
Hon. Julius Debrah made the call for the preservation and protection of Africa’s biological diversity as the keynote speaker, speaking on behalf of President Mahama, at the launch of the 2025 IMDEC at the Burma Hall in Accra.
The theme for this year’s IMDEC touches on ‘Securing Africa’s maritime future: collaborations, technology, and sustainability in changing geopolitical landscape’.
“Maritime security must go hand-in-hand with environmental and economic sustainability. This is crucial and must be central to our mission as we seek to secure our waters; we must preserve them.
“Protecting maritime biodiversity, combating pollution and adapting to Climate Change are not optional; they are essential for survival of our people and the prosperity of our future generation” said the Chief of Staff.
Hon. Debrah went on to assure delegates at the conference about government’s commitment to making Ghana a viable business destination for as it ensures peace and security in the region:
“Ghana remains committed to the regional cooperation and strengthening capabilities of its navy, security institutions and maritime shareholders. We will continue to support ECOWAS, the Yaounde Code of Conduct and multilateral framework that promote peace, security and prosperity across our water”
“We are exploring various avenues to equip the navy with offshore patrol vessels and fast boats to augment existing platforms. This will undoubtedly yield positive outcomes in the reduction of piracy incidents and IUU activities along our coast within the economic zones” added Hon. Julius Debrah
To this end the Chief of Staff believes that his government under the national reset agenda ‘aims to become West Africa’s premier regional hub for trade and investments’.
He added therefore, “This will be all possible through port expansions, industrial corridors being strengthened to connect local businesses with the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA)”.
