Ghana’s Parliament has passed the Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026, a significant legislative step to combat piracy, armed robbery at sea, and other maritime-related crimes. This Bill now awaits Presidential assent to become law. It establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and punishment of these offenses.
The new legislation aims to align Ghana’s domestic laws with key international provisions. Specifically, it incorporates elements of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and its related protocols. This alignment is critical for enhancing Ghana's ability to address transnational maritime crime effectively.
This legislative development is part of Ghana’s broader strategy to position itself as a maritime hub in the West African sub-region. A robust legal framework is essential for achieving this objective, ensuring safe and secure shipping lanes vital for national economic development. The absence of such a dedicated legal framework previously created enforcement and prosecutorial challenges for maritime offenses, as noted by Parliament’s Roads and Transportation Committee.
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union (EU), is actively engaging stakeholders. These engagements, including a recent two-day sensitisation workshop in Accra, aim to build a common understanding of the legislation. Mr. William Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport, highlighted the importance of collaboration among institutions for effective implementation.
Mr. Mubarick Masawudu, Deputy Director-General of the GMA, emphasized the maritime sector’s vital role in Ghana’s economy. He noted that the sector is increasingly exposed to sophisticated maritime crime, including piracy, armed robbery, and trafficking. Mr. Masawudu stated that the Bill represents a significant milestone in strengthening Ghana’s legal and institutional framework against these threats. A robust legal framework is crucial for effective investigations, successful prosecutions, and coordinated law enforcement efforts.
Mr. Jean-Pierre Bardoul, Programme Officer for the Governance Section of the EU, confirmed support for maritime law enforcement agencies in the Gulf of Guinea through the Safe Seas for Africa project. This project, assisted by the EU and UNODC, strengthens the capacity to prevent, investigate, and prosecute maritime crimes. He added that the Bill’s alignment with UNCLOS provides clearer jurisdiction for local courts, addressing prosecutorial challenges.
Professor Martha Chantel Ribero, representing the UNODC, described the workshop as another milestone in the organisation’s engagement with Ghana’s criminal justice system. The UNODC provides technical support for Ghana’s legal reform efforts through the Safe Seas for Africa project. She affirmed that strengthening Ghana’s maritime legal framework is a positive step towards addressing maritime crime and enhancing the rule of law.
The new legislation will provide greater clarity and certainty, equipping relevant institutions with modern legal tools to suppress maritime crime. Early engagement with stakeholders, even before Presidential assent, ensures that enforcement institutions are adequately prepared. This proactive approach is expected to enhance institutional understanding and strengthen coordination among agencies involved in Ghana’s maritime security and criminal justice systems.