Chairperson of Parliament’s Security and Intelligence Committee and Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called on Parliament to take the lead in driving urgent legal reforms to address piracy, maritime crime, and the domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
According to her, time has come for the legislature to demonstrate leadership through reform and oversight to safeguard Ghana’s maritime interests.
“The time has come for Parliament to take leadership in this area. Let us prioritise the necessary legal reforms and work across the aisle to protect Ghana’s economic interests, territorial integrity, and the safety of our people,” she declared.
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In a statement on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, October 22, Dr. Zanetor Rawlings stressed that Ghana’s maritime domain is not merely a frontier but a lifeline for trade, energy, nutrition, and sovereignty. “If we are to secure Ghana’s future, we must secure our seas,” she added.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings underscored the urgent need to domesticate UNCLOS and align Ghana’s laws with international standards. She noted that the existing provisions on piracy under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), are inconsistent with Article 101 of UNCLOS, making it difficult to prosecute maritime crimes effectively.
She said,“Ghana has still not completely domesticated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The absence of a comprehensive legal framework for prosecuting piracy and other maritime crimes not only hampers our ability to respond swiftly and effectively, but also undermines our commitments under international law.”
She urged the Minister for Transport to expedite the submission of a new Bill to repeal outdated piracy laws and bring Ghana in full compliance with UNCLOS.
“I have learnt that steps are being taken and Cabinet has given approval for the Bill to be laid. I urge the Minister to do so as soon as practicable, and I assure him of my full support,” she noted.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings cautioned that maritime insecurity is quietly eroding Ghana’s economy by increasing the cost of goods through inflated insurance premiums for vessels using the Gulf of Guinea.
According to her, one of the most significant, but often overlooked effects, is the elevated cost of maritime insurance premiums for vessels traversing the Gulf of Guinea. “The insecurity in our waters is quietly taxing every household in Ghana,” she said.
She explained that the high-risk classification of the Gulf has led to higher insurance rates for shipping companies, costs that are ultimately borne by consumers through increased prices of imports such as food, fuel, machinery, and pharmaceuticals.
“If we are serious about improving our economy and protecting our borders, we must be equally serious about maritime security,” she added.
The MP emphasized that maritime crimes—including piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and smuggling—are part of a larger web of transnational threats that directly affect national security.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings proposed several measures to enhance maritime security and governance:
Legal Reform: Fast-track a comprehensive maritime offences law aligned with UNCLOS.
Maritime Security Fund: Establish a dedicated fund financed through a portion of port charges to support security operations, surveillance, and technology upgrades.
Community Integration: Formally integrate traditional and fishing communities into the national maritime security strategy through training and community-based reporting systems.
Public Awareness: Intensify education on the dangers of maritime crime and the benefits of lawful fishing practices.
Implementation of NIMS: Enforce the National Integrated Maritime Strategy (NIMS) and its implementation plan to strengthen ocean governance.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings reminded the House that maritime security is central to Ghana’s development and sovereignty and reaffirmed her commitment to support any parliamentary initiative aimed at securing Ghana’s territorial waters and advancing the nation’s blue economy.