Addressing constraints in regional MCCs
Interdepartmental meeting discusses securing maritime domain
GHANA: An interdepartmental meeting held last week in Nigeria aimed to address constraints and challenges experienced by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Maritime Coordination Centres (MCC).
Despite successes in reducing piracy and sea robbery, the ECOWAS centres are experiencing staffing issues and funding constraints. The meeting was aimed at reviewing and streamlining the structure of the MCCs to ensure their effective functioning and sustainability.
The meeting had representatives from various ECOWAS Departments, Directorates, Also from the ECOWAS Parliament, the ECOWAS Court of Justice, ECOWAS Maritime Coordination Centres.
During the opening ceremony, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel- Fatau MUSAH, PhD, underscored the importance of Maritime Security in the West African region which currently has four key zones.
In his opening remarks, the Representative of UNODC, M. Abbas Daher stated the importance of this milestone in the continuing engagement with ECOWAS with the aim of funding practical and innovative solutions towards ensuring maritime security and ensuring a safe and secure maritime domain to allow for economic prosperity in the ECOWAS States.
2016