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Parliament has passed the Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026, establishing a comprehensive legal framework to combat piracy, armed robbery at sea and other maritime crimes while strengthening Ghana’s compliance with international maritime law.
The legislation, approved by the House on Tuesday, June 30, criminalises piracy, armed robbery at sea and related offences, and gives domestic effect to key international treaties, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA Convention) and its related protocols.
According to the report of Parliament’s committee that considered the Bill, the new law establishes a robust legal regime for the prevention, investigation, prosecution and punishment of piracy, armed robbery at sea and other maritime offences.
The committee said the legislation aligns Ghana’s criminal laws with Articles 100 to 105 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, addressing long-standing legal gaps that have hindered the prosecution of maritime crimes.
It noted that the Gulf of Guinea has experienced increasing maritime insecurity over the past decade, including piracy, vessel hijackings, kidnappings for ransom, armed robbery at sea and the destruction of maritime property.
According to the committee, these crimes continue to threaten maritime trade, regional stability, economic development and the safety of seafarers, highlighting the need for a stronger legal and institutional framework.
“The absence of a dedicated legal framework on maritime offences in Ghana creates enforcement and prosecutorial challenges in dealing with piracy and related crimes. The enactment of this Bill will, therefore, provide the necessary legal basis for the investigation, arrest, prosecution and punishment of offenders,” the committee stated.
The report further indicated that the legislation would strengthen Ghana’s maritime sector, improve state port control and ensure the country’s compliance with international maritime conventions.
“This legal regime is critical to Ghana’s ambition of becoming a maritime hub in the Gulf of Guinea. By closing gaps in our maritime law, the Bill strengthens trade security and enhances state port control,” the committee said.
It added that the law empowers security agencies to take decisive action against maritime offenders while protecting the livelihoods of seafarers operating within Ghana’s territorial waters.
“Most importantly, the Bill empowers security agencies to act decisively, thereby ensuring that offenders face justice while safeguarding the livelihoods of our seafarers,” the committee added.
With Parliament’s approval, the Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026, is expected to significantly strengthen Ghana’s legal framework for tackling maritime crime and enhancing security across its territorial waters.
Source: 3news
