GMA–US Coast Guard assessment affirms strength of Ghana’s port security systems
A delegation from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has completed a three-day assessment of Ghana’s maritime security infrastructure, expressing strong confidence in the safety and security measures at the Tema and Takoradi ports.
The exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), formed part of the USCG’s International Port Security (IPS) Programme.
It also served as a key verification of Ghana’s compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The exercise is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that ports trading with the United States comply with internationally accepted security standards.
The assessment, carried out from January 13 to 16, 2026, evaluated the resilience of Ghana’s port security ecosystem through a rigorous “stress test” approach.
Areas reviewed included physical infrastructure, access and identity management systems, operational procedures, and inter-agency information-sharing protocols.
The USCG team was led by the Chief of Capacity Building and Technical Assistance, Scott Wolland, and included Crystal Wilson and Stephanie Alvarez.
The team, working closely with their Ghanaian counterparts, conducted inspections at GPHA Terminals One and Two, Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal Three at Tema, as well as the Port of Takoradi.
During the exercise, the Port Security Manager at Tema Port, Colonel Daniel Atobrah Bondah, highlighted the effectiveness of Ghana’s inter-agency security framework.
He noted that agencies, including the Marine Police, Ghana Navy, Narcotics Control Commission, and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), operated seamlessly under a unified port security structure, enhancing coordination and rapid response.
Significance
Mr Wolland said the inspections were conducted within the framework of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Ghana and the United States.
He emphasised that the collaboration provided an opportunity to exchange best practices, stressing that robust port security was a global imperative essential for safe trade within the West African sub-region and between Ghana and its international partners.
During a debriefing with the Director General of the GMA, Naval Captain (Rtd) Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, Mr Wolland proposed strategic enhancements, including the introduction of advanced security simulations to test existing protocols and identify potential operational bottlenecks. He also recommended the adoption of external security audits to provide an objective check on internal arrangements.
Mr Wolland underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity, describing it as the next frontier of port resilience. He encouraged continuous cybersecurity training, particularly as ports become more automated and reliant on digital systems.
Improvement
The Head of Maritime Security, Search and Rescue at the GMA, Mustapha Adamah, disclosed that Ghana’s ports had recorded significant security improvements between 2023 and December 2025, following the implementation of recommendations from previous audits.
Dr Ali commended the United States Coast Guard for the constructive and insightful feedback provided during the evaluation.
He stated that the authority would immediately commence coordination with relevant agencies to develop enhanced security drill scenarios and update the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) platform with the latest port security data.
He further reaffirmed the GMA’s commitment to strengthening the security of Ghana’s maritime domain, describing it as fundamental to national economic growth and to Ghana’s standing as a leading hub for international trade in the West African sub-region.
Writer's email:
