Exercise Grand African NEMO 2026 has officially been launched on Wednesday 28 October 2026, at the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) headquarters, Zone F, Osu Castle. The exercise aims at strengthening regional cooperation in tackling maritime security threats in the Gulf of Guinea, including piracy, illicit trafficking, illegal migration and marine pollution.
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, who was Guest of Honour for the occasion, underscored the importance of regional collaboration, information sharing and interoperability in enhancing maritime security and operational readiness.
He highlighted a transboundary oil spill scenario involving Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire as a key feature of this year’s exercise. The scenario will test both countries’ capacity to respond to marine pollution across shared maritime boundaries while strengthening coordination and assessing existing legal and operational frameworks.
The French Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Diarra Dimé-Labille, reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting African navies through capacity-building, joint training and information sharing. She also called for stronger partnerships to combat piracy, illegal fishing, human and drug trafficking, and other transnational maritime crimes.
The exercise runs from 29 October to 6 November 2026 and involves six participating countries: Ghana, France, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to promote a safe, secure, and environmentally protected maritime domain in the Gulf of Guinea.
Story by: Rabiatu Dery
Pictures by :Pte Ibrahim
