International Maritime Defense Exhibition & Conference

Hosted by

Kempinski Hotel ACCRA, GHANA
July 2023

Download 2021 Post-Event Report

PRESS COVERAGE

Find out the major piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea and the emerging counter-piracy plans and operations

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Great Minds Group strictly adheres to all rules and regulations laid out by government authorities to ensure the health and safety of everyone at our events.

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EVENT OVERVIEW

The 2nd International Maritime Defense Exhibitionand Conference (IMDEC) 6-8 July 2021 will feature the largest gathering of Africa’s maritime industry, as we host regional and international Chiefs of Naval Staff to address the principal issues facing maritime security onthe continent. This biennial gathering will feature a not able two-day conference and exhibition in which the gathered regional Armed Forces can deliberate the Increasingly volatile maritime threats facing Africa’s territorial waters.The 2nd edition of IMDEC will also welcome greater participation from regional Air Forces, as the Ghana Air Force will be an official event partner to highlight the significance of air-maritime cooperation.
In-depth panel discussions, breakout sessions and extensivesite visits to Ghana’s naval and air bases further highlight this celebration as the premier strategic gathering of Africa’s Navies, Air Forces, Coast Guards, Port and Coastal Authorities, Marine Police and related Ministries.

GHANA NAVY AND AIRFORCE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND THIS YEAR’S EVENT

VIPS

Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff, Nigeria Navy

Air Vice Marshal IG Lubo, Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force

Captain Emmanuel, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Cameroon Navy

Rear Admiral Oumar Wade, Chief of Naval Staff, Senegalese Navy

Rear Admiral Nancy Lacore, Chief of Staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet

Senior Colonel KOUAHO N’GUETTA Julien, Commander, Bouake Air Base, Cote d’Ivoire Air Force

Rear Admiral Mike Utley, Commander UK Strike Force, Royal Navy

Rear Admiral Carlos Alfredo Mandungal Chief of Naval Staff, Guinea Bissau Navy

Rear Admiral Nguessan Kouame Chief of Naval Staff Ivory Coast Navy

Captain Pedro Santana, Commander of the Coast Guard, Cape Verde

Captain Philip Juana, Commander, Sierra Leone Navy

Dr. Dieng Abdourahmane (Rtd Col), Head Regional Security Division, ECOWAS Commission

Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)

Commodore Carlos Campos, General Coordinator, SWAIMS – Operational Response and Management of the Rule at Sea, Portuguese Navy

Ambassador Florentina Adenike Ukonga, Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea Commission

Commander Hassan Sei Coomber, Commander, Air Force Sierra Leone

Senior Colonel Kouaho N’guetta Julien, Commander, Bouake Air Base, Ivory Coast Air Force

Colonel Ossomba Etienne, Chief of Operations, Cameroon Air Force

Mr Thomas Kofi Alonzi , Director General, Ghana Maritime Authority Commodore GL Bessing, Chief Staff Officer, Ghana Navy

Captain Inusah Abdul Nasir, Technical Director, Ghana Maritime Authority

EVENT FEATURES

ATTENDEES

SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS 

SPEAKERS

SITE VISITS

COCKTAIL RECEPTIONS

VIP DINNER 

Site Visits

These tours of Ghana’s Air and Naval bases will consist of in-depth walk throughs of the naval dockyard and air base as well as private vessel tours to further display the advanced capabilities of Ghana’s Naval and Air Force fleet. This is a key opportunity for solution providers to gain first-hand knowledge and share their product offerings.

Limited spaces available so secure your spot NOW. Register Here.

Gala Dinner

On July 6th we will host an exclusive dinner for only the VIP attendees of IMDEC. This will include the gathered chiefs of naval and air staff as well as prominent dignitaries from Ghana’s Armed Forces and Political Leadership.

Cocktail Reception

On July 7th after the first day of the conference, we will host a cocktail reception for all attendees of IMDEC in order to further facilitate networking amongst the event’s prominent stakeholders.

TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND

Premier gathering of Africa’s maritime stakeholders

Fostering regional interagency collaboration to stabilize maritime security and economic development.

Witness an executive gathering of 15+ Chiefs of Naval and Air staff addressing the regions key maritime requirements.

Providing a framework for facilitating joint-operations to boost naval capabilities and protecting regional waters.

Deepen strategic partnerships amongst International and Regional Navies to develop cooperative solutions.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

ORGANIZATIONS

Navies

Air Forces

Coast Guards

Maritime Police

Ministries of Interior

Ministries of Defense

Drug and Law Enforcement Agencies

Ministries of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Maritime Authorities including Port and Coastal authorities

JOB TITLE

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)

Chief of Air Staff

Director of Naval/ Air Operations

Director General or Managing Director

Director of Policy and Plans

Director of Naval Logistics

Chief of Naval Safety and Standard

Director of Armament Supplies

Director, Fisheries Enforcement Unit

Wednesday, 7 July 2021

09:00	Official Opening Ceremony Opening Remarks by GM Arrival of VIPs Chief of Naval Staff, Ghana welcome remarks Address by the Guest of Honour Ribbon cutting ceremony and VIP exhibition tour
10:00	Opening keynote speech: Maritime Security and Trade: The Nexus Between a Secured Maritime Domain and a Developed Blue Economy Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu, Chief of Naval Staff, Ghana Navy
10:15	Innovative plans to curb piracy on the Gulf of Guinea Identifying the efforts of each nation in eradicating piracy and evolving threats Incorporating the intelligence, expertise, and domain awareness of regional forces to better protect both maritime and land Creating an effective road map for the coordination of multi- nation operations to overcome piracy Moderator: Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo (Rtd), Former CNS Ghana Navy Panelists: Rear Admiral Nguessan Kouame, Chief of Naval Staff, Ivory Coast Navy Rear Admiral Oumar Wade, Chief of Naval Staff, Senegal Navy
10:50	Networking break
11:20	Spotlight on Nigeria’s Maritime Security Efforts Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff, Nigeria Navy
11:40	Controlling the Seas Eddie Noble, Senior Executive: Business Development (Naval Systems), Paramount Group
11:55	Open Discussion: use of transit corridors to improve protection for shipping against piracy Moderator: Commodore GL Bessing, Chief Staff Officer, Ghana Navy
13:40	Innovation session (2 vendors) This session will highlight the latest technologies in air and maritime security. The session consists of two, 15- minute, back-to-back presentations from experts in the industry who will provide insights on the successful application of a variety of innovations and case-studies 1) Assimilation of innovative techniques to adapt to future challenges, Oded Breier, VP Marketing, Israel Shipyards 2) The Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS- a versatile solution to support the fight against illegal activities at Sea and Land, Michael Neufingerl-Ille, Regional Sales Director – Africa, Schiebel
13:10	Networking Lunch
14:10	Keynote speeches by special guests Rear Admiral Nancy Lacore, Chief of Staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet Rear Admiral Mike Utley, Commander UK Strike Force, Royal Navy Commodore Carlos Campos, General Coordinator, SWAIMS – Operational Response and Management of the Rule at Sea, Portuguese Navy
14:50	Executive Panel Discussion: Effect of COVID 19 on Maritime Security Operations and its implications on Maritime Trade Identifying the immediate requirements presented by COVID-19 for the regional militaries, health/medical stakeholders, ports, and law enforcement Developing the long- and short-term capacity building initiatives to better control regional waters Involving a multi-stakeholder approach to achieve greater information sharing Moderator: Phil Heyl, U.S. Coast Guard (ret.), CEO, The Heyl Group Panelists: Dr. Bashir Jamoh Agency, Director General, NIMASA Dr Kofi Mbiah, Maritime Law Expert
15:20	Innovation session (1 vendor) This session will highlight the latest technologies in air and maritime security. The session consists of one, 15-minute, presentation from experts in the industry who will provide insights on the successful application of a variety of innovations and case-studies 1) MBDA Solutions for Maritime Protection, Christophe Balducchi, Senior Naval Advisor, MBDA
15:35	Executive Panel Discussion: Yaoundé Architecture and Regional Cooperation Integrated maritime strategies and security governance Collaboratively protecting and conserving Africa’s “Blue Economy” Update on regional strategies for safety and security within the maritime space Moderator: Dr. Axel Klein, SWAIMS Project Coordinator Panelists: Captain Emmanuel Bell Bell, Executive Director, ICC Ambassador Florentina Adenike Ukonga, Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea Commission Colonel Abdourahmane Dieng (Rtd), Head of Regional Security Division, ECOWAS Commission
16:00	MC’s Announcements and End of Day 1
19:00 – 21:00	Cocktail Reception Burma Hall, Ghana Armed Forces HQ

Thursday, 8 July 2021

8:50	MC’s opening remarks
9:00	Opening keynote speech: Ghana Air Force Air Vice Marshal Frank Hanson, Chief of Air Staff, Ghana Air Force
9:15	Executive Panel Discussion: Strategies for addressing challenges to Maritime Air Operations in the Gulf of Guinea Developing the long- and short-term capacity building initiatives to enhance maritime air operations Classifying the most beneficial methods and systems to secure the region against existing threats while optimizing current capabilities Enhancing operational success through tailored solutions for the region’s air forces and related stakeholders Moderator: Phil Heyl, U.S. Coast Guard (ret.), CEO, The Heyl Group Panelists: Captain Rodeia Ribeiro, SWAIMS Liaison Officer and Naval Expert, ECOWAS, Portuguese Navy Air Vice Marshal Frank Hanson, Chief of Air Staff, Ghana Air Force Senior Colonel Kouaho N’guetta Julien, Commander, Bouake Air Base, Cote d’Ivoire Air Force
9:55	Innovation Session (2 vendors) This session will highlight the latest technologies in air and maritime security. The session consists of two, 15-minute, back-to-back presentations from experts in the industry who will provide insights on the successful application of a variety of innovations and case-studies 1) Reserved: Lior Frumkes, Senior Executive for Marketing and Sales- Africa, Israel Aerospace Industries 2) CC Serge Djeangoury, Drone Program Officer, France Navy- For Airbus
10:25	Executive Panel Discussion: Improving Maritime Domain Awareness Capabilities: The role of drones and MPAs Increased application of maritime air surveillance and satellite imagery through aircrafts and autonomous systems Integrating these systems within command-and-control frameworks to best secure open seas and circumvent illicit activity Leveraging collected data to empower real time combat readiness to better protect commercial vessels and employ resources Moderator: Air Vice Marshal IS Kadri (Rtd) Panelists: Air Vice Marshal IG Lubo, Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Nigeria Air Force Captain Kenfack Dongmo Emmanuel, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Cameroon Navy Air Commodore JL Mensah Larkai, Air Force Base Commander, Accra, Ghana Air Force
11:05	Innovation Session (2 vendors) This session will highlight the latest technologies in air and maritime security. The session consists of two, 15-minute, back-to-back presentations from experts in the industry who will provide insights on the successful application of a variety of innovations and case-studies 1) Reserved: Mario Spiegel, Sales Manager North America & Middle East, Special Mission Division, Diamond Aircraft 2) Alberto Bava, Naval Domain Manager for Strategic Marketing, Leonardo
11:35	Networking break
12:00	Executive Panel Discussions: The role of Civil Society, Academia and Maritime Administration in ensuring Maritime Security and Blue economy growth in the Gulf of Guinea Adopting a collaborative approach for development and training of maritime and Air Force personnel Benchmarking existing partnerships between maritime forces and administration bodies to outline the necessity of collaboration Highlighting existing efforts toward sustainable maritime security and blue economy growth in the Gulf of Guinea Moderator: Dr. Alberta Sagoe, Executive Director, GOGMI Panellists: Commodore Daniel Atakpa, Blue Economy Expert, Nigeria Navy Professor George Wiafe, Director, Regional Marine Centre, University of Ghana Captain Inusah Abdul Nasir, Technical Director, Ghana Maritime Authority
12:40	Innovation Session (2 vendors) This session will highlight the latest technologies in air and maritime security. The session consists of two, 15-minute, back-to-back presentations from experts in the industry who will provide insights on the successful application of a variety of innovations and case-studies 1) Prasheen Maharaj, President, Petram Sandock Naval Systems 2) The future of Aircraft Security, surveillance systems, and environmental preservation, Ivo Boscarol, Founder, President & CEO, Pipistrel Group
13:10	Executive Panel Discussions: The role of Civil Society, Academia and Maritime Administration in ensuring Maritime Security and Blue economy growth in the Gulf of Guinea Discussing the NIMS roadmap to address emerging maritime threats as well as improving efficiency and effectiveness of efforts and actions amongst all relevant actors. Moderator: Dickson Osei – Bonsu, SGI National Coordinator, National Security Council Secretariat Ghana Panelists: Captain Kamal Deen (Rtd), Director, CEMLAWS Captain(GN) Emmanuel Kofi Ankamah (Rtd), Ghana Maritime Authority Frances Mullen Ansah, Attorney Generals Department, Ghana
13:40	Official Summary and Recommendations: IMDEC 2021 (open forum) Moderated by the Event Chairman, this keynote closing panel will highlight the key takeaways and discussions of IMDEC, as well as list the most significant recommendations for improved maritime security within the Gulf of Guinea as determined by the event’s prominent experts.
14:00	Closing Ceremony Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of Defense Staff, Ghana Armed Forces
14:30	Networking Lunch

WHY PARTNER

Get unprecedented insight: Hear first-hand the specific requirements of the region’s navies, air forces and maritime powers.

Build industry partnerships: Present your organization as a key supporter of Africa’s maritime and air defence industry to become a shortlisted supplier in the region.