Accra: Selected journalists are undergoing a three-day intensive training under the European Union-Enhanced Maritime Action in the Gulf of Guinea (ENMAR) project. The training is being organised by the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute (GoGMI), with funding by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms Emmanuelle L©cuyer, the Public Diplomacy and Visibility Officer for EnMAR, emphasized the significance of the maritime sector, highlighting that approximately 80 percent of global trade occurs via maritime routes. In Ghana, this sector generates around one billion US dollars. Ms. L©cuyer underscored the vulnerabilities within the shipping routes, pointing out that in 2022, Ghanaian authorities intercepted about 60 kilograms of drugs and reported a loss of about 200 million US dollars to foreign ships operating illegally under legal cover.
Moreover, pollution from shipping and coastal activities continues to stress maritime ecosystems, biodiversity, and the local communities’ reliance on fisheries, necessitating immediate stakeholder action. The EnMAR project is designed to enhance maritime security and economic prosperity in the Gulf of Guinea through four main objectives: promoting dialogue among maritime stakeholders, introducing new initiatives in maritime safety and security, and raising awareness of EU actions in the area.
Ms. L©cuyer explained that the training aims to raise awareness about the maritime sector in the Gulf of Guinea, equipping journalists with the necessary knowledge, tools, and equipment to effectively report on complex maritime issues. The goal is to engage the public and inform policymakers on the sector’s needs through constructive and advocacy reporting.
The workshop will delve into key concepts to make journalists active partners in information sharing, challenges, and opportunities in the maritime domain, ultimately enhancing accurate and independent reporting on maritime issues. It will also serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and interactive sessions between media professionals and maritime experts.
Air Vice Marshall Frank Hanson, the Board Chairman of GoGMI, stressed the Gulf of Guinea’s critical importance in national development, describing it as richer and larger than West Africa. Despite its significance, he noted that it remains under-discussed in public spheres. He highlighted the issue of ‘sea blindness,’ where the lack of discussion about the ocean leads to missed opportunities in the Blue Economy and underestimation of maritime security threats.
Air Vice Marshall Hanson emphasized the crucial role of journalists in bridging these hidden realities and public awareness. The training aims to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools to cover maritime security and safety with precision and urgency while highlighting the Blue Economy’s vast opportunities. He encouraged participants to challenge the silence around the Gulf of Guinea, confront sea blindness, and use storytelling to inspire policy action, public engagement, and regional transformation.
Rear Admiral Livinus Bessing, the Chief of Naval Staff, urged the media to enhance advocacy efforts to push governments towards equipping the Ghana Navy to ensure maritime security effectively. The lack of logistics and resources has posed significant challenges to naval operations, despite the Navy’s capability to fulfill its duties. He stressed the importance of journalistic advocacy in convincing governments to adequately resource the Navy, as many activities occur beyond the visible shoreline.
Mr. Albert Dwumfour, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), remarked on the profound impact of journalists in promoting maritime issues. Often perceived as technical matters for specialists, maritime issues remain hidden from the public eye. However, when journalists make these issues visible and explain the human cost of illegal fishing, piracy risks, or the promise of a thriving blue economy, they accomplish more than just informing the public.