University of Ghana and Ghana Navy Sign MoU to Enhance Maritime Security
The University of Ghana and the Ghana Navy have signed an MoU to improve maritime domain awareness through the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa programme. Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, Chief of Naval Staff, and Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, formalised the agreement. Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, emphasised the university's role in providing essential data and research to support the Navy's operations.
A group picture of some participants at the meeting.
In the keynote address read on his behalf, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation highlighted the importance of this collaboration in leveraging scientific research and technological innovation to protect maritime resources and promote sustainable development. The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting academia-industry collaborations, recognising their critical role in driving national progress and addressing complex environmental challenges.
Professor Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, and Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, Chief of Naval Staff, during the signing ceremony
Ghana’s maritime domain faces significant challenges such as illegal fishing, pollution, and smuggling, which impede the nation’s blue economy. This MoU is crucial for advancing research, training, and the development of innovative products and services to address these maritime domain awareness (MDA) challenges.
Ghana Navy leaders with members of GMES and Africa team headed by Dr. Tidiane Ouattara
Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council, and Head of the Department of Education, Science, Technologies and Innovation (ESTI) of the African Union Commission, expressed his hope for similar collaborations among other institutions involved in the GMES and Africa project to ensure sustainable economic growth and security for the continent.
Dr Tidiane Ouattara, addressing the participants at the event.