A view of some participants of a training program
Stakeholders in Ghana’s maritime industry have received two-week training on the utilization of the Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information System (YARIS).
The YARIS platform which is an information sharing tool for maritime law enforcement agencies in the Gulf of Guinea region was developed in partnership with the Gulf of Guinea inter-regional network project to aid the implementation of the Yaoundé architecture with support of the European union.
In all, 28 participants were trained in various scenarios including coordination and operations for combating illegal fishing, vessels in difficulty and miscellaneous trafficking.
The training also enabled participants from Ghana’s maritime law enforcement agencies utilize the YARIS platform to enhance surveillance and information sharing capabilities thereby improving maritime safety and security operations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the national training development and implementation of the national YARIS in Accra, a Deputy Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Daniel Appianin said the Yaris will improve collaboration between coastal states to combat piracy and respond to the current maritime security challenges.
“The system further provides and facilitates real time coordination of maritime operations at various levels. It also offers a wide range of complementary tools which will help maritime law enforcement agencies to facilitate effective, precise monitoring and coordination of maritime crisis situations,” he added.
He said as part of efforts to sustain improved maritime security situation in Ghanaian waters, the GMA has procured mercy-class patrol ships to improve surveillance and patrol activities within Ghana’s maritime jurisdiction.
The deputy head of delegation of the European Union to Ghana, Pieter Van Gelder affirmed the EU’s continuous support to a peaceful and safe maritime domain.
