Monrovia, Liberia – In a bid to strengthen collaboration between the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA) and the Liberian media, the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Center (KAIPTC), with support from the Government of Denmark, has completed a media training course focused on enhancing maritime security reporting in the Gulf of Guinea.
The five-year project aims to deepen cooperation among maritime stakeholders while equipping media practitioners with the knowledge to address critical maritime security challenges.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Mr. Nya S. Gbaintor, Principal Director for Administration at the Liberia Maritime Authority, emphasized Liberia’s significant role in global maritime affairs. “Liberia is a major player in the global maritime industry, and with that comes great responsibility,” Gbaintor said. “Our country, home to the largest ship registry in the world, is exposed to various risks in the maritime sector. We need to foster cooperation between agencies and prioritize information sharing to tackle these challenges effectively.”
Gbaintor further highlighted the importance of bolstering the skills of journalists and stakeholders in the maritime sector. “This initiative is about acquiring new knowledge that will make our work more efficient and safer. Journalists will play a critical role in helping detect suspicious cargo and understanding the broader implications for maritime security.”
The event also saw remarks from Mr. Edmund Yaw Obeng, Acting Head of Mission at the Ghana Embassy in Liberia, who reaffirmed the strong ties between Ghana and Liberia, particularly in maritime security. “Our two countries share long standing relations, reinforced by the presence of Ghanaian fishing communities along Liberia’s coastline,” Obeng stated. “This partnership extends beyond culture and economy as we now focus on safeguarding our maritime borders through shared efforts in security.”
Obeng noted that the project is part of a broader initiative aimed at tackling maritime safety and security threats across West and Central Africa. “While incidents of maritime violence have decreased in the last three years, sporadic attacks remind us that the problem is far from resolved. The role of the media in ensuring accurate reporting on maritime security is crucial,” he added.
Dr. Emma Birikorang, Acting Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs & Research at the KAIPTC, underscored the importance of empowering the media in maritime security. “This training program was designed to equip media professionals to become critical players in the maritime security space,” Dr. Birikorang said. “Their role as watchdogs, partners, and validators is essential to ensuring transparency and accountability in maritime operations.”
Birikorang also noted that past participants of similar training programs have found new opportunities in maritime security reporting, advocating for dedicated maritime desks within their media houses. “They have committed to becoming catalysts for change,” she said, “and this new initiative seeks to fill the gap in media coverage by empowering journalists to report effectively on maritime security, thereby contributing to a safer Gulf of Guinea.”
The training, which builds on previous capacity-building initiatives that have trained over 70 participants from across the region, will engage maritime security experts, government representatives, and academics to address challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, and maritime trafficking.
“Maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea remains critical for global commerce, but the region continues to face security threats, including piracy, armed robbery, and illegal fishing,” Birikorang added. “Efforts to address these challenges, including the Yaoundé Process, have been intensified, but media coverage of these issues remains limited in depth and impact.”
Reported by Simeon S. Wiakanty
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