US to guard oil shipments around Ghana, other countries as pirate attacks on West African coastlines surge
As more oil discoveries are being made in the West African sub-region, activities of pirates are said to be springing up in the region from its usual area, the Red Sea of the coast of Somalia.
The coastlines of West Africa have for some time now been seeing attacks from pirates on ships and vessels carrying oil as well as goods.
In August this year, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) listed five African countries’ sea-shore as piracy prone areas in its latest Piracy Prone Areas and Warnings report. The countries are Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Cameroon and Somalia.
The IMB said the areas are risky for the movement of vessels and ships including oil and chemical tankers due to attacks from pirates who are using weapons and rocket propelled grenade launchers.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) in an article titled “West Africa: Another target for piracy?” published on its website and culled by ghanabusinessnews.com September 27, 2011 says with massive reserves of oil, cocoa and metals needed to supply hungry world markets, the Gulf of Guinea – a stretch of West Africa’s coast spanning more than a dozen countries – is witnessing early signs that pirates may be keen to pounce on new and lucrative opportunities.
“Piracy, drug smuggling and political uncertainty have made the Gulf of Guinea a challenging environment for investors seeking to benefit from natural resources.”
However, the US government has pledged its full support in helping to fight piracy along the coast lines in the region.
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, US Department of State, Ambassador Johnnie Carson told ghanabusinessnews.com that the Obama administration is working with ECOWAS to fight these pirates.
Mr. Carson, who was answering questions from some selected media in the world on September 28, 2011 via a live video streaming said the US government has noticed the situation and “we have regular navy ships and boats visit West and East of Africa.”
The media interaction was on the outcome of the 66th UN General Assembly and US Africa Policy. Ghanabusinessnews.com, the Daily Graphic and Net 2 TV took part at the US Embassy in Accra.
“We are also working with some West African countries to provide them with boats to strengthen their coastal guides,” said Mr. Carson when ghanabusinessnews.com asked him about the issue of piracy in West Africa particularly Ghana since it has started oil production and is exporting using similar coastal routes where pirate activities are said to be increasing.
Already a US Navy vessel, the HSV Swift, visited Ghana in August to train 30 Ghanaian Naval officers to strengthen the maritime capabilities of the Naval Forces towards enhancing maritime security. It is part of the US military cooperation programme called Africa Partnership Station.
The US has also become increasingly reliant on oil and gas exports from West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea itself.
According to an 80-page report, published by the Washington-based Atlantic Council and cited by the Inter Press Service (IPS) Africa publication in December 2010, 18% of US oil imports and 14% of its natural gas (LNG) imports currently originate in West Africa.
That percentage, the publication said is expected to rise to 25% by 2015.
Mr. Carson notes that these pirates are now around the Niger Delta, Togo and Benin and further to the Red Sea of the coast of Somalia.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS has called for action against piracy after governments along the length of the West African coastline have expressed concern about a surge in the number of attacks on cargo ships.
Regional governments will be meeting in Cotonou, Benin in October this year to discuss coordinating efforts to halt piracy.
President of ECOWAS, Ambassador James Victor Gbeho who spoke to IPS Africa ahead of the regional conference, said “The navies of all our coastal states should permanently combine their operations…The phenomenon is becoming worrying and could have serious economic consequences for our countries. That is why we will act firmly against it.”
Experts say if the issue is not solved or combated, maritime insurers will demand higher fees to cover ships which pass through the region.
By Ekow Quandzie
The government of Ghana must purchase advanced tactical weapons ,copters and speed boats and train personnel to meet these challenges. Those hefty loans must go to work !
Is this Africom, interesting andd at what cost as well as who is paying for this protection. Hmmmm Ghana? I think Ghanaians need some answers on this sooner the better.