Parliament has approved the Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026, providing Ghana with a comprehensive legal framework to combat piracy, armed robbery at sea and other maritime crimes that threaten trade and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The new legislation empowers law enforcement agencies to investigate, arrest, prosecute and punish individuals involved in piracy and related offences, addressing long-standing legal gaps that have hindered effective enforcement.
The law also aligns Ghana’s maritime legislation with key international treaties, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, along with its related protocols.
According to the Parliamentary Committee’s report, the Gulf of Guinea has witnessed a rise in maritime crimes over the past decade, including vessel hijackings, kidnappings for ransom, armed robbery at sea and attacks on maritime infrastructure, posing serious risks to regional security, international trade and the safety of seafarers.
The Committee noted that the absence of a dedicated legal framework had created challenges in investigating and prosecuting maritime offences, making the passage of the Bill necessary to strengthen Ghana’s response to growing security threats at sea.
It further stated that the legislation would enhance Ghana’s compliance with international maritime obligations while supporting the country’s ambition to become a leading maritime hub in the Gulf of Guinea.
Beyond improving maritime security, the law is expected to strengthen investor confidence, safeguard Ghana’s territorial waters, protect the maritime economy and reinforce state port control systems.
The Committee described the legislation as a significant milestone in safeguarding the country’s maritime interests and urged Parliament to approve it to bolster national and regional maritime security.
