OBANGAME EXPRESS is Africa’s largest maritime exercise – U.S. Ambassador to Ghana

US Ambassador to Ghana Her Excellency Stephanie Sullivan said Exercise Obangame Express is the largest multinational maritime operation in Africa.

She said the aim of the exercise is to enhance regional cooperation and information sharing among participating countries to combat illicit maritime activities at sea.

“The United States is truly delighted to partner with Ghana and the other nations gathered here to promote maritime security and strengthen our interoperability between African, European, Atlantic and American armies and agencies. Exercise Obangame Express is the largest maritime exercise in Africa. From Morocco to Namibia. The aim of the exercise is to improve regional cooperation and information sharing between participating nations to counter illegal maritime activities at sea and to strengthen safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea, ”he added. she declared.

She said the region’s ability to tackle illegal activities on the sea is very crucial as the rate of criminal cases registered along the Gulf Coast in recent times is high.

“The ability of regions to ensure maritime security is more important than ever as illegal activities are on the increase. With the increase in piracy, theft and other illicit activities such as the theft of illegal fuel and unreported and unregulated illegal fishing, all stakeholders interested in contributing to Africa’s security must adopt a coordinated approach to counter these illegal activities.

However, Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2021 (OE) is an annual combined Central and West African multinational maritime exercise in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). The exercise focuses on increased cooperation of regional stakeholders as well as maritime safety and security. The exercise involves the navy and maritime actors from West and Central Africa, in partnership with the United States and Euro-Atlantic navies.