Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ACCRA1052
2008-08-15 07:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

ACCRA INPUT FOR FY 09 AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STATION

Tags:  AFIN MARR MASS SNAR MOPS PREL GH 
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VZCZCXRO1437
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #1052/01 2280752
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 150752Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6883
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 001052 

SIPDIS

JUN BANDO IN AF/RSA
SATRAJIT SARDAR IN AF/C

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AFIN MARR MASS SNAR MOPS PREL GH
SUBJECT: ACCRA INPUT FOR FY 09 AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STATION

REF: SEC STATE 75639

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 001052

SIPDIS

JUN BANDO IN AF/RSA
SATRAJIT SARDAR IN AF/C

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AFIN MARR MASS SNAR MOPS PREL GH
SUBJECT: ACCRA INPUT FOR FY 09 AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STATION

REF: SEC STATE 75639


1. (U) (Summary) EMBOFF's conversations with Ghanaian
officials found broad support for participation in the Africa
Partnership Station (APS). The Ghanaian officials were
unanimous in seeing APS as an opportunity for staff training
and development. Ghanaian officials cited their need to
develop inter-agency cooperation in the areas of maritime
security and safety. Naval contacts stressed the importance
of scheduling APS to minimize disruptions to on-going
training activities. Post met with officials from the
Ministry of Fisheries, Narcotics Board, Armed Forces, the
Maritime Authority. (End Summary.)


2. (U) POLOFF met with Mr. Emmanuel Quaye Chief Director
(head civil servant) of the Ministry of Fisheries. Also
present was Mr. Charles Coussey, Advisor to the Ministry.
Mr. Quaye began by noting that he had been visited a few
months previously by USG officials seeking input on APS. Mr.
Quaye noted that training, particularly advanced training for
those who have had basic courses, would be helpful. POLOFF
requested specifics regarding training needs, and Mr. Coussey
was to provide a list. Chief Director Quaye expressed concern
about maritime safety conflicts between oil exploration and
fisheries sharing the same waterways along Ghana's coast. He
added that more training with the Marine Control and
Surveillance System, which tracks shipping movements, would
be useful. Mr. Quaye also said that intelligence on maritime
issues is not currently widely shared within the Government
of Ghana.

3 (U) POLOFF discussed APS with Mr. Ben Botwe, Executive
Secretary of the Ghana Narcotics Control Board (NACOB). Mr.
Botwe indicated that NACOB would want to be part of any
training offered through APS. According to Botwe, NACOB is
particularly interested in areas involving drug interdiction.
He also expressed a desire to see more inter-agency
cooperation, particularly with the Navy. NACOB, he
explained, does not have any patrol vessels and is dependent
on cooperation from the Navy for seaborne drug interdiction.
He also noted that NACOB has seen a dramatic increase in
staffing in the past two years, increasing the need for
training.


4. (U) POLOFF and OSC Chief met on July 31 with Captain
Bonsu, Director of Operations with the Ghana Navy. Captain
Bonsu labeled as a success the navy's participation in the
previous APS exercise. Captain Bonsu requested additional
training opportunities for the Navy. When asked by EMBOFFs,
he agreed that further steps toward inter-agency cooperation
were needed. He gave as examples potential joint efforts by
the Navy and GOG agencies in counter-narcotics, fisheries
management and ship inspections, along with support for the
soon to be developed offshore oil industry.


5. (U) In a separate meeting with a Ghana Navy senior
officer, POLOFF and OSC Chief met with Commander Tarm-Sacky,
head of the Tema Naval Base. Tarm-Sacky's main concern with
APS was its timing, and how if not scheduled appropriately
the program could disrupt regular naval training efforts.
Tarm-Sacky requested that planners contact the Navy's
Director of Training, Captain Asante, in advance of planning
for the program. Tarm-Sacky said that the priority for APS
should be to help the Ghana Navy to build the capacity to
police Ghana's territorial waters. He noted that the Navy's
vessels lacked the endurance for long range or regular
patrols. The discovery of oil, he added, adds a new
dimension to the level of seaborne policing needed.


6. (U) POLOFF met with officials of the Ghana Maritime
Authority (GMA),including the Chief Director, Peter Azumah.
Mr. Azumah explained that the Maritime Authority was created
less than two years ago, and did not participate in the first
ASP exercise. He added that the GMA was formed to coordinate
maritime policy and activities. The officials spent
considerable time describing the functions of the GMA, which
is limited by the lack of vessels and other equipment and the
lack of an enforcement arm. Mr. Azumah stressed the need for
training in the areas of maritime safety, including on inland
waterways. GMA officials noted that training should be
focused on preventive safety measures. He suggested that the
Ghanaian Environmental Protection Agency be invited to
participate in APS.


7. (U) (Comment.) Ghanaian interest in APS is strong.
Repeatedly, Ghanaian officials noted their need to develop a
multi-agency approach to maritime safety and security. To
the extent that APS can provide a platform to initiate a
multi-agency approach, in areas such as narcotic control and

ACCRA 00001052 002 OF 002


environmental protection, it will be appreciated by the GOG.
(End Comment.)
BROWN