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By: Edward Graham Sebbie
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has dismissed claims that its vessel monitoring system is ineffective and that vessels operating in Ghana’s waters are not being tracked.
The Authority says the claims are false, misleading, and do not reflect the operational reality of maritime surveillance in Ghana.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, GMA said it had taken note of comments made by NPP communicator Dennis Edward ‘Miracles’ Aboagye on TV3’s Daily Brief and Joy FM’s Newsnite.
Mr. Aboagye had alleged that the system used by the Authority to monitor Ghana’s high seas has been down for months, leaving the Authority to operate “blindly.”
He made the claim while commenting on recent drug-related seizures, including the interception of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine worth about €225 million at the Port of Dunkirk in France, concealed in a container shipped from Ghana, as well as the discovery of 866 parcels of suspected cocaine at Tema Harbour.
According to him, the failure of the surveillance system was undermining Ghana’s ability to monitor illicit activities at sea.
But GMA has categorically rejected that assertion.
“The Authority’s surveillance system for monitoring vessels within Ghana’s maritime jurisdiction is operational,” the statement signed by the Public Relations Unit said.
The Authority explained that it continues to use its maritime domain awareness tools to maintain 24-hour surveillance of Ghana’s maritime domain. The system, it said, is also deployed for monitoring and protecting offshore oil and gas installations, pipelines and submarine cables.
“The Authority uses standard operating procedures to track vessels, verify identity and compliance, and support safety, security, and environmental protection within its maritime domain. The suggestion that vessels in Ghana’s waters are not monitored is therefore untrue,” the statement added.
GMA said it remains committed to continuous surveillance and protection of Ghana’s maritime interests and urged the public to disregard the claims and rely only on official communication from the Authority.
The Authority is mandated under the Ghana Maritime Authority Act to ensure safety, security and environmental protection in Ghana’s maritime jurisdiction.
