From September 11 to 13, 2024, the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC/CPCO) hosted a pivotal Regional Patrol Support Training Workshop in Tema, Ghana. This event gathered participants from the Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centers and Navies of six member states: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo, alongside representatives from CRESMAO and FCWC.
A key contributor to this workshop was Mr. Godfrey Baidoo-Tsibu , a trainer from GOGIN II, who showcased the capabilities of the YARIS 2.0 platform through a presentation and demonstration. This training aimed to enhance participants’ skills in utilizing various marine domain awareness tools, including Skylight (SRV, DRV, SAR Sentinel, EO Sentinel, VIIRS), Global Fishing Watch, and Vessel Viewer, which are essential for conducting effective joint patrols like the Grand Africa Nemo (GANO).
The workshop also facilitated informal discussions among key stakeholders, including Mr. Ere-Walson Ayebaine, Coordinator of the Regional MCS Center of the FCWC, and representatives from the French Embassy in Ghana and Trygg Matt Tracking. These discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration between FCWC and GOGIN II in promoting the YARIS platform as a vital tool for combating maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
This training workshop not only served as a platform for skill enhancement but also fostered crucial partnerships aimed at improving maritime security in the region, highlighting the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea against illegal fishing and other maritime threats.