GMA fires back at ‘blind’ surveillance claim

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has responded to allegations that its vessel monitoring system is inefficient and ineffective, denying claims that it is "blind" and unable to maintain 24-hour surveillance of vessels within Ghanaian waters. The Authority's response comes amid heightened scrutiny of its maritime capabilities following a series of narcotics-related cases involving the country.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications figure, had claimed during appearances on TV3’s Daily Brief and Joy FM’s Newsnite programmes that the GMA's systems and equipment had been down for months, suggesting the Authority was operating without proper surveillance. However, the GMA has stated the system is fully operational and that it continues to monitor all vessels within its maritime jurisdiction around the clock.

The Authority maintains its surveillance system is used not only to track commercial vessels but also to monitor and protect offshore oil and gas facilities, pipelines, and submarine cables. It also emphasized its standard operating procedures involve tracking vessels, verifying their identities and checking compliance requirements to ensure maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.

The GMA rejected the notion that vessels sailing in Ghana's waters were beyond authorities' view, stating that the suggestion is false. The controversy is especially pertinent given the recent concerns over narcotics trafficking and the ability of Ghana's security architecture to prevent illicit consignments from entering, leaving, or transiting the country.