The Ghana Navy has participated in the African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) 2026 held in Rabat, Morocco, from July 21 to 22, which was hosted by the United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa, the United States Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces under the theme, "Innovation and Partnership to Strengthen Maritime Security."
The summit brought together maritime leaders, government officials, security experts, and international partners to strengthen maritime security through collaboration, promote capacity building, and deepen regional cooperation in addressing shared maritime challenges across Africa.
The event featured presentations, panel discussions, and strategic engagements that focused on emerging maritime security issues, technological innovation, maritime domain awareness, and collective approaches to addressing threats across Africa's maritime environment.
Representing the Ghana Navy and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, at the summit, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Commodore Samuel Ayelazono, underscored the importance of technology, intelligence sharing, inter-agency coordination and regional cooperation in strengthening maritime security and tackling emerging threats across Africa’s maritime domain.
The AMFS forms part of ongoing efforts by the co-hosting partners to enhance maritime cooperation, improve collective responses to piracy, terrorism, illegal fishing and smuggling, and reinforce peace and security across Africa's critical sea lanes.
Story by: Winifred Laryea and Rosemary Apekey
Pictures by: Ebenezer Adu-Sarforo
