Ghana has once again stepped into the spotlight on the international maritime security stage, as a high-level delegation joined the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (FoGG) meeting held in France underscoring the West African nation’s enduring role as a key partner in securing one of the world’s most strategically critical waterways.
The Ghanaian delegation was led by H.E. Mavis Ama Frimpong, Ghana’s Ambassador to France, who formally presented her Letters of Credence to President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on March 25, 2026, officially commencing her diplomatic duties and marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and France. Her presence at the FoGG meeting so early in her tenure signals the priority Accra places on maritime security cooperation with its European partners.
Accompanying the Ambassador was Deputy Minister of Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Gyamfi, whose inclusion in the delegation carried deep significance. Gyamfi has been vocal about the need to properly resource Ghana’s Navy with enhanced surveillance and patrol capabilities, making him a fitting representative at a forum dedicated precisely to building the maritime security capacity of Gulf of Guinea nations.
A Forum Built on Shared Responsibility
The G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea was established in 2013 by the United Kingdom, during the G8 Presidency, as a coordination mechanism to prevent duplication of efforts and promote cooperation among G7 and European countries, international organizations, and shipping bodies to combat maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
The group’s purpose is to support the maritime security architecture developed under the Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery against Ships, and Illicit Maritime Activities in West and Central Africa an agreement adopted by 22 heads of state at the Yaoundé Summit in June 2013.
Over the years, the scope of the forum has widened considerably. Originally focused on anti-piracy issues, the G7++ FoGG has since extended its reach to all illegal activities at sea, including illegal fishing and various forms of trafficking human beings, drugs, weapons, animals, and natural resources.
France holds a particularly prominent role in this architecture. France has a long-standing commitment in the region, with pre-positioned forces in Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Gabon, and a permanent presence at sea since the 1990s through Operation Corymbe. That bilateral partnership with Ghana has deepened in recent months. Ghana and France reinforced their strategic naval partnership earlier in 2026, when a French offshore patrol craft commenced coordinated maritime security maneuvers within Ghanaian waters as part of a broader regional deployment itinerary.
Ghana’s Voice at the Table
Ghana’s participation in the FoGG is not ceremonial it is foundational. France and Ghana have previously co-organized key technical meetings within the G7++ framework, reflecting a partnership that goes beyond attendance to active co-leadership. The Ghanaian government has consistently championed strengthened multilateral engagement on Gulf of Guinea security. Ghana has called for enhanced cooperation with key stakeholders including the EU, the G7++ FoGG, and the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum and Shared Awareness and De-confliction (GoG-MCF/SHADE) (Ghana Permanent Mission to the United Nations) , as part of a comprehensive strategy to address maritime threats at sea.
Deputy Minister Gyamfi’s presence reinforced Ghana’s determination to translate diplomatic engagement into concrete defence action. Plans to acquire offshore patrol vessels have already been captured in Ghana’s national budget, a tangible signal that Accra is investing in the very naval tools the FoGG framework is designed to support.
A New Chapter in Ghana-France Maritime Diplomacy
Ambassador Frimpong’s leadership of the delegation also reflects the broader trajectory of Ghana-France relations at this moment. Under her leadership, the Ghana Embassy in France has already rolled out high-profile activities highlighting Ghana’s growing international presence, including the Ghana–France Business Seminar Paris 2026. Her stewardship at the FoGG meeting adds a security and strategic dimension to what is fast becoming a multifaceted diplomatic mission.
As the Gulf of Guinea continues to face evolving threats from piracy and armed robbery at sea to illegal fishing and trafficking Ghana’s active and high-level participation in Paris sends a clear message: Accra remains a committed, capable, and indispensable partner in the collective effort to secure West and Central Africa’s most vital maritime corridor.
Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.
International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP
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