ACCRA INPUT FOR FY 09 AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STATION

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