She said concerted efforts were needed to carry out a decisive work to combat the scourges that threaten safety at sea, which was an indispensable work for the development of the West Africa sub-region.

Mrs. Darrieussecq made the appeal in Accra at the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea Group (G7++FoGG) 2019 summit.

The three-day meeting, which is being co-chaired by Ghana and France, is on the theme "Working Together for the Common Security of the Gulf of Guinea".

The G7++FoGG  is composed of Germany, Canada, the United States, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Brazil (observer), South Korea, Denmark, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, the European Union, UNODC and INTERPOL.

The objective of the G7++FoGG is to assist the Gulf of Guinea countries in reforming the security of their maritime areas, harmonizing the various legal frameworks in the fight against maritime crime, strengthening inter-state cooperation, and promoting the blue economy.

Mrs Darrieussecq said the Government of France attaches much significance to G7++FoGG and the same to the maritime issues of the Gulf of Guinea, adding that these were strong partnerships and trusted agendas that one would want to maintain and build upon.

She said in the Gulf of Guinea, maritime security issues were particularly complex; citing the incidents of pirates attacks, illegal fishing and drug and human trafficking.

"One of the major consequences is the increased fragility of all riparian countries and a decline in economic development," Mrs Darrieussecq stated.

"However, as we know, economic development is essential to ensure the stability of a dynamic space, a space with a huge potential for growth..."

It was government's job to ensure security; reassure investors and guarantee the conditions of development, Mrs Darrieussecq said.

"These challenges are immense. A year is obviously a very short period to deal with it. But France and Ghana are not starting from scratch. We had the remarkable work done by previous presidencies."

She said it was in this continuity that France and Ghana had written their action; because it was a collective effort in the long term, an effort that aimed to continue.

"We share the need for joint, mutual and shared maritime security, which is the essence of this meeting," Mrs Darrieussecq said.

She said the Gulf of Guinea countries were not alone in facing these challenges; assuring that France was firmly on their side.

She said since 1990, France had maintained a quasi-permanent presence in the Gulf of Guinea.

The mission of the French Navy was part of a process of accompaniment and support to African navies through the contribution of their know-how and the sharing of experience, Mrs Darrieussecq added.  .

She said France was also relying on its network of cooperatives put at the disposal of the states bordering the Gulf of Guinea.

"France's action is part of a global and collective strategy. This is especially the case of the European Union."

Mrs Darrieussecq said together with their British partner, they were implementing the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade in the Gulf of Guinea.

Major Derek Oduro (rtd), Deputy Minister of Defence, said piracy and armed robbery at the sea came at a very high cost to everyone with interest in the region; stating that these included payment of ransom and high insurance premium which eventually, were passed on to the consumer.

Major Oduro said addressing these challenges required the collective efforts of States, partners and stakeholders who had interest in the maritime domain.

Major General Francis Ofori, Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, said the presences of participants from across the globe for the G7++FoGG summit in Accra, was a testimony to the growing realization that no single State had what it takes to protect its people, safeguard its interest within its land and maritime jurisdictions.