Build Capacity in Geospatial Technologies, Prof. Wiafe to Chiefs of Navies and Air Staff

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Capacity building and strengthening within the maritime domains in Africa is a must for efficient and economical defensive and protective operations. The call was made by Prof. George Wiafe during the 2nd International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEC), which took place on 7-8 July 2021 in Accra, Ghana.

Prof. George Wiafe, 2nd from the right, during the panel discussion 

The conference hosted by the Ghana Navy was attended by over 15 Chiefs of Navies and Air Staff from across Africa together with about 300 national and international senior officials from Navies, Air Forces, Coast Guards and Marine Police. Piracy, illegal fishing, armed robberies, governance, regional cooperation, blue economy and capacity building are the major issues discussed.

IMDEC participants during the panel discussion

The GMES and Africa project was represented by the University of Ghana, the lead of the marine consortium in West Africa. The Director, Prof. George Wiafe, during the panel discussion on the role of Civil Society, Academia and Maritime Administration in ensuring Maritime Security and Blue economy growth in the Gulf of Guinea, appeals to the gathering to consider investing in geospatial technologies and open sources to catch up with the western world. According to him, air-maritime operations in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond could be less expensive in the long run if governments engage in developing human capacity to analyse and utilise geospatial intelligence, as well as creating their own equipment.

From left to right: Absourahmane Dieng (Rtd), Head of Regional Security Division, ECOWAS Commission, Commander Yussif Benning, Director of the ECOWAS MMCC Zone F, Prof. George Wiafe, and Dogbeda Azumah of the Regional Marine Centre, University of Ghana

Prof. Wiafe reiterated the call and proposed that the academia is ready to support if they are invited. He ended his talk by telling the gathering that there is a need to start somewhere, even if Africa needs to start crawling first. Hence the Research and Development departments of the defence forces, namely navies and air forces must be revived and live to expectations.

The GMES and Africa project also exhibited its products during the two days high levels meetings. Fruitful interactions were held with Chiefs of Navies and Air Staff, policy-makers, sponsors and businesses on the products and services provided by the University of Ghana GMES and Africa consortium.

Discussion on GMES products and services with security officials in the West African Region


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