Welcome to CEMLAWS Africa

233 24 472 9803

info@cemlawsafrica.com

Emmanuel Koomson

SUBMARINE CABLES: Strategic Assets, Vulnerabilities, and the Need to Ensure a Robust Protection and Resilience Framework for Ghana

INTRODUCTION In the early hours of March 14, Ghana experienced a nationwide internet outage that caused unimaginable disruption, crippling our daily life. The two largest telecommunication companies, which accounted for over 70% of the market share, lost data connectivity. Several hours later, information crept in – the problem was caused by damaged submarine cables (also […]
Read more

CLOSED, BUT NOT CLOSED FOR FISHI DECLARING : Declaring The 2024 Fishing Closed Season in Accordance With Section 84 (1) Of The Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625)

Ghana, in 2016, took a significant step towards ensuring sustainable fishing with its implementation of the fishing closed season. At the time, the ban was limited to the industrial sector fisheries. It was expanded to cover the artisanal sector fisheries in 2019. Since then, closed seasons have consistently been imposed every year, except in 2020 […]
Read more

Capacity Building Workshop Focuses on Addressing Impacts of Distant Water Fishing in Cameroon

Over 30 representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, community groups and the media gathered in Douala, Cameroon on May 7th for a one-day capacity building workshop focused on promoting transparency and accountability regarding distant water fishing vessels (DWFVs) operating in the Gulf of Guinea.The workshop, organized as part of the ongoing US State Department […]
Read more

Enforcement of Beneficial Ownership Requirements to Curb Illegal Foreign Participation in Ghana’s Industrial Fisheries Sector

INTRODUCTION Despite the seeming Ghanaian ownership of the industrial fishing fleet in Ghana, the reality is that most of these industrial fishing vessels operate under foreign ownership. The country’s industrial fishery is predominantly reserved for Ghanaians, therefore, both the legal and beneficial ownership of fishing vessels should belong to Ghanaians. In reality, Ghanaians have actively […]
Read more

2023 ENDS WITHOUT ANOTHER FISHERIES OBSERVER: GRADUALLY BLINDING THE EYES OF THE STATE AT SEA

In November 2023, it was reported that another fisheries observer Samuel Abayitey, while on board tuna vessel Marine 707 was missing and there was no information from either the vessel owners or crew about the circumstances leading to his disappearance. The Fisheries Commission (FC) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) have not […]
Read more

VOI Project Dissemination Workshop in Accra

In Accra, Ghana, a dissemination workshop took place on November 2, 2023, at the MJ Grand Hotel. The purpose of this workshop was to share the results of a project that aimed to improve transparency in Ghana’s fisheries sector. The project received funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Vibrant Oceans Initiative and was executed by CEMLAWS Africa […]
Read more

‘TAKING STOCK – Online Transparency of Fisheries Management Information’ – Ghana

FiTI, collaborated with CEMLAWS Africa, to initiate online transparency assessment of fisheries management information for Ghana. The FiTI (Fisheries Transparency Initiative) undertook the ‘TAKING STOCK – Online Transparency of Fisheries Management Information’ assessment to assist Ghana in improving accessibility and clarity of fisheries management data in the sector. The report from taking the stock assessment […]
Read more

Fisheries Observer Training for Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development under the WARFP of the World Bank

The Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa was contracted by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development under the West African Regional Fisheries Program (WARFP) of the World Bank to conduct a Fisheries Observer Training Programme. The intent was to ensure fishing vessels compliance to fisheries rules and regulations and as part of efforts […]
Read more

US-GH SGI Maritime Legal and Institutional Review

CEMLAWS Africa supported the development of the analytical report titled “Review of Ghana’s Maritime Legal and Institutional Framework.” The Centre undertook a comprehensive legal and institutional review of the relevant legislation, policies, practices and authorities in Ghana’s maritime security environment, which resulted in a written analytical report addressing strengths, weaknesses and challenges and opportunities. The […]
Read more