Resource Ghana Navy with offshore patrol vessels to safeguard our waters – Minority

The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s parliament has expressed grave concerns over the country’s maritime security, calling on the government to resource the Ghana Navy with Offshore Patrol Vessels to safeguard our waters. This urgent appeal is prompted by a recent suspected pirate attack on a Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, MENGXIN 1, on March 27, 2025, which highlights the vulnerability of Ghana’s waters to pirate attacks.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces, seven armed individuals boarded the ship, firing warning shots and kidnapping the captain, chief mate, and chief engineer – all Chinese nationals. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of Ghana’s waters to pirate attacks.

The Minority Caucus has criticized the government for abandoning a plan to procure two OPVs for the Ghana Navy in 2024. The plan, which was fiercely opposed by the NDC, was terminated, leaving the Navy without the necessary resources to effectively patrol the country’s waters.

“As pirates are aware of Ghana Navy’s lack of Offshore Patrol Vessels, the vulnerabilities in the security of our waters are likely to be exploited by pirates,” the Minority Caucus warned. “To strengthen security on our waters and serve as deterrence, we strongly urge the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Defence to prioritize the purchase of two Offshore Patrol Vessels”.

The Minority Caucus has pledged its support for the procurement process, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. They argue that Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful country is at stake, and that the government must take decisive action to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for pirates, drug traffickers, and money launderers.

In a statement, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, stressed the importance of equipping the Ghana Navy with the necessary resources to safeguard the country’s waters. “We demand accountability from the National Security for the gold bars and cash retrieved, and what they intend to do with it”.

The call for action by the Minority Caucus has highlighted the urgent need for the government to address the country’s maritime security challenges. With the threat of piracy and other security threats looming large, the government must take decisive action to resource the Ghana Navy and safeguard the country’s waters.