Accra, Ghana – Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has warned of the immense challenges facing the Gulf of Guinea region, urging concerted efforts to address issues like maritime insecurity and illegal fishing.
Speaking at the Thirteenth Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, Botchwey underscored the theme of the upcoming leaders’ summit, “Building a Safe, Secure and Prosperous Gulf of Guinea Region for Sustainable Development,” as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerabilities.
She highlighted the need to bolster the capacity of the Gulf of Guinea Commission to tackle pressing issues such as maritime terrorism, oil theft, and illegal fishing, which pose significant threats to regional peace and prosperity.
The minister expressed optimism that the ongoing discussions among member states would lead to innovative strategies to overcome these challenges and unlock the region’s full potential.
Botchwey also referenced the decision taken at a previous extraordinary assembly to expand membership of the commission to all coastal states in the region, a move aimed at broadening cooperation and addressing shared challenges collectively.
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