Workshop on ‘encouraging effective self-auditing of security of ports’ launched in Accra

The Ghana Maritime Authority in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization has launched a regional workshop with 10 participating West and Central Africa countries on “ Encourage effective self-auditing of security in port” in Accra.

According to the International Maritime Organization there has been a tremendous increase in illicit maritime activities, particularly piracy and armed robbery, in the West and Central African Region.

The Deputy Minister for Transport, Titus Glover indicated that the situation calls for more stringent measures at the ports.

He said, shipping and international trade have always grown hand-in-hand and it’s considered as the only cost-effective means of transporting goods globally.

“The maritime sector can play a significant role in helping countries for increased employment, prosperity and stability” he said. According to Mr. Glover, the provision of maritime instruments provide guidance on a method of self-assessing the effectiveness and the implementation of the relevant security measure in such plans.

“It is my expectation that participants will be equipped with the skills by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code for carrying out port security self-auditing to identify vulnerabilities in the security system and develop remedial strategies” he said.

H, the workshop will enhance capacity on the development of the port facility security assessments, plans and procedures and enable the total effective control of security of ports and port facilities.

On his part the Director-General of Ghana Maritime Authority, Kwame Owusu said, the workshop came at the right time and it will encourage effective self-auditing of security in ports.

According to him, the International Maritime Organization will encourage effective self-auditing of security in ports.

“It is planned to assist in the development of capacity through training on port security and we consider this yet another opportunity for the entire WACAF region to further enhance maritime security” he said.

Background

The four-day workshop themed “encourage effective self-auditing of security in ports” has fifty-four participants from ten West and Central Countries with four consultants from the international maritime organization.

The workshop is to educate participants on how to self-audit security at the ports