A delegation from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has expressed high confidence in the safety protocols at the Tema and Takoradi ports following the conclusion of a three-day assessment of Ghana’s maritime security infrastructure.
The inspection, conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) under the USCG’s International Port Security (IPS) Program, serves as a critical verification of Ghana’s compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
It serves as a vital stress test of a port’s security ecosystem, evaluating physical infrastructure, operational procedures, and information-sharing protocols.
The USCG delegation, which was led by Mr Scott Wolland, the Chief of Capacity Building and Technical Assistant, and accompanied by Crystal Wilson and Stephanie Alvarez, worked together with their Ghanaian counterparts to conduct the inspection from January 13 to 16, 2026.
The exercise evaluated physical infrastructure, identity management, and information-sharing protocols at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s (GPHA) Terminals One and Two, the Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal Three, and the Port of Takoradi. Seeking to “stress test” Ghana’s port security ecosystems.
Colonel Daniel Atobrah Bondah, the Port Security Manager at the Tema Port, during the exercise, highlighted the seamless inter-agency framework that allowed the Marine Police, Ghana Navy, Narcotics Control Commission, and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to operate under a unified security umbrella together with the port security.
Mr Scott Wolland, in his remarks, indicated that the inspections were conducted under the long-standing bilateral relations between Ghana and the United States, adding that it also provided the team an invaluable opportunity to share best practices.
He emphasised that robust port security was a global necessity and essential for ensuring safe trade within the West African sub-region and between Ghana and the rest of the world.
He further explained that the USCG worked alongside designated authorities for the ISPS Code in every nation that traded with the US, stating that these bilateral relationships were critical given the evolving dynamics of the global supply chain and maritime information systems, making it imperative that both nations operate in lockstep.
Mr Wolland, during a debriefing session with Dr Kamal-Deen Ali (Naval Capt. Rtd), the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), proposed strategic enhancements through security simulations to test existing protocols and identify potential bottlenecks, and encouraged the GMA to consider the implementation of an external audit system to provide an objective “check and balance” for internal security arrangements.
He also called for a broad security awareness through refresher courses for non-security personnel, including administrative and operational staff, which he explained would further ensure a port-wide culture of security awareness.
He suggested that critical focus should be put on emerging threats such as cybersecurity, which he described as the next frontier of port resilience, in strengthening digital defence.
Mr Wolland emphasised that as ports become more automated, cybersecurity training for staff ought to be continuously enhanced to stay ahead of potential risks to maritime data and infrastructure.
Dr Ali, on his part, commended the USCG for their sincere and productive feedback from the evaluation.
He noted that the GMA would immediately begin coordinating with other agencies to develop new drill scenarios and further update the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Platform with the latest security data.
The GMA Director General also assured of his outfit’s resolve to continue working to improve security of the country’s maritime domain, which he described as the cornerstone of Ghana’s economic development and the country’s reputation as a leader in international trade within the West African sub-region.
Mr Mustapha Adamah, the Head of Maritime Security, Search and Rescue at the GMA, in a remark, pointed out that between 2023 and December 2025, Ghana’s ports have seen remarkable improvements in security.
Mr Adamah stated that this followed the implementation of the recommendations from previous inspections and audits regarding specific vulnerabilities that ought to be addressed by the port authority and private operators.
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