Anthony Djaba Sackey

A Review: Tackling the Impact of Maritime Insecurity within the Gulf of Guinea Along with Promising Expansion of Trade in Coastal West Africa

Anthony Djaba Sackey, Abigail Dede Sackey, Joseph Elorm Segbefia, Raphael Ofori-Dua Lee, Benjamin Lantei Lamptey, Musah Chantiwuni, Abraham Akwetey Teye, Boaz Kwesi Obu Danquah, Priscilla Akua Afful

The Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region has growingly become the world’s hot spot for maritime piracy and armed robbery attacks despite the ongoing health crises and travel restrictions. The ongoing maritime insecurity situation which precedes the Covid-19 pandemic, was examined against the current economic and occupational challenges faced by the maritime community. These challenges include the implemented Covid-19 travel restrictions and the ongoing effort at implementing Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement –a designed boost to Africa’s industrial campaign and Intra trade amongst African nations. The piracy risk concerns potential sustainable maritime investment, measured against the risk posed to a successful implementation of AfCFTA. The study examines the current security threat in West Africa towards identifying the most appropriate recommendations with an integrated approach to tackling maritime piracy. The insecurity problems that risk the safety of marine operations, property, life, and the environment; ought to be reduced —if not eliminated. The case study approach identifies and investigates current policies and practices regulating maritime security in the region. While the study finds the earlier rising trend of piracy and armed robbery as a measure of inadequacy in security and surveillance, it does acknowledge the enormous legal frameworks and current structures of regional and international corporations that are currently ongoing. The problem of insecurity influences insurance coverage which goes to the cost of shipping. It also alludes to the much recent downward trends of which contributing factors have generated conflicting views amongst industry experts and stakeholders. Piracy response has been reactionary rather than proactive in most instances, as attacks have continued in territorial and offshore areas well into 2021. A lack of effective collaborations will continue to lead to undesirable outcomes. Concerning its visible impact on AfCFTA implementation amid covid-19, there is limited data on the issue. The conclusion highlights efforts directed at furthering the understanding of the impact of covid-19 and maritime insecurity on the maritime trade.