By Alex Ababio
Ghana has set an ambitious target to fully map its maritime domain within the next three years—a move authorities say is critical for safeguarding offshore infrastructure, improving navigational safety, strengthening disaster preparedness, and unlocking the full economic potential of its blue economy.
The plan, announced by Kamal-Deen Ali, a retired Naval Captain and Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, signals a renewed urgency to address longstanding gaps in hydrographic data across the country’s territorial waters.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder dialogue in Accra, Dr. Ali emphasized that Ghana would adopt a phased, cost-effective approach to hydrographic mapping—an effort he described as both strategic and overdue.
“We are going to look at how we can do this far better at a lesser cost to ourselves, how we can start incrementally and be able to save this country a lot of resources,” he said.
“Yet we are also able to deliver in the next one, two or at most three years where we can say that we have reached that mark of a country with good hydrography.”
The High Stakes of Mapping the Seabed
Hydrography—the science of measuring and describing the physical features of oceans, seas, and coastal areas—is widely regarded as the backbone of maritime safety and economic activity. It involves collecting detailed data on water depths, seabed topography, underwater hazards such as shipwrecks and rocks, and oceanographic conditions.
For Ghana, the stakes are particularly high.
The country’s offshore space hosts critical infrastructure, including oil and gas platforms in the Jubilee and TEN fields, subsea pipelines, and international fibre-optic cables that carry vast volumes of global internet traffic. These assets are not only economically vital but also highly vulnerable.
Dr. Ali warned that without accurate hydrographic data, these installations remain exposed to risks ranging from maritime accidents to environmental disasters.
“Hydrography is the foundational tool for the country to protect those assets,” he noted, pointing to the growing complexity of maritime operations and threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
A Costly Undertaking, a Strategic Shift
Previous estimates suggested that fully charting Ghana’s maritime space using traditional methods could cost as much as €80 billion—a figure widely viewed as prohibitive for a developing economy.
Rather than pursuing a single, large-scale investment, Ghana is now shifting toward an incremental model—prioritizing high-risk and high-value zones such as shipping corridors, offshore energy fields, and cable routes.
This approach aligns with global best practices. According to the International Hydrographic Organization, many coastal states are adopting phased hydrographic programmes to optimize resources while progressively improving chart coverage.
The IHO has consistently stressed that inadequate hydrographic data contributes to maritime accidents and inefficiencies in global shipping. In its reports, the organization notes that a significant portion of the world’s seafloor remains either poorly mapped or completely uncharted—especially in developing regions.
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Policy Recognition, but a Longstanding Gap
At the policy level, Ghanaian authorities acknowledge that hydrography has historically been underprioritized.
In a speech delivered on his behalf, Joseph Bukari Nikpe described hydrography as “the foundation of all maritime activities,” but lamented its limited recognition in national development planning.
He emphasized that accurate seabed data is indispensable for:
Port development and expansion
Maritime spatial planning
Environmental protection
Sustainable exploitation of marine resources
“In an era of escalating climate threats and growing maritime insecurity, data generated by hydrographers has become the country’s first line of defence,” he stated.
This assessment reflects broader global concerns. Maritime experts have repeatedly warned that climate change—through sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and changing ocean conditions—is increasing the need for up-to-date hydrographic surveys.
Climate Risks and Maritime Security Pressures
Ghana’s hydrographic push also comes against the backdrop of mounting environmental and security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
The region has been identified by international observers, including the International Maritime Organization, as a hotspot for maritime insecurity, including piracy and illegal fishing. Accurate seabed mapping enhances marine domain awareness, enabling better surveillance and response capabilities.
At the same time, climate-related risks—such as coastal flooding and storm surges—are intensifying. Hydrographic data plays a crucial role in modelling these risks and guiding mitigation strategies.
Global research institutions, including the World Bank, have highlighted that investments in hydrography yield high economic returns by reducing shipping risks, lowering insurance costs, and improving port efficiency.
Building Institutions: Ghana’s Structural Reforms
To address systemic gaps, Ghana has initiated several institutional reforms aimed at establishing a functional hydrographic ecosystem.
According to the Transport Ministry, these include:
The creation of a National Hydrographic and Oceanographic Committee
The establishment of a National Hydrographic Office
Development of standards for data collection and sharing
Strengthening collaboration among agencies
These steps are designed to align Ghana with international standards and obligations under the IHO framework.
The Committee, officials say, is already facilitating data exchange to improve nautical chart updates—an essential requirement for safe navigation.
Learning from Regional Peers
Ghana’s strategy is also being shaped by regional cooperation, particularly with Nigeria, which has made notable progress in hydrographic development.
Delivering the keynote address, Olumide Olajide Fadahunsi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Hydrographic Agency, commended Ghana’s commitment.
“In a region where hydrographic data gaps remain a persistent challenge, the willingness of a country like Ghana to make hydrography a deliberate national priority is both timely and commendable,” he said.
He noted that maritime systems in West Africa are deeply interconnected, meaning that improvements in one country can have ripple effects across the region.
“The charts we draw today will shape the waters we navigate tomorrow,” he added.
Nigeria’s experience offers a practical model. Over the past decade, it has invested in modern survey vessels, digital charting technologies, and institutional capacity—efforts that have improved navigational safety and maritime governance.
Economic Potential: Beyond Safety
While safety and security are key drivers, Ghana’s hydrographic initiative is also about economic transformation.
The maritime sector contributes significantly to the country’s GDP, with ports in Tema and Takoradi serving as critical trade hubs for landlocked neighbours. Improved hydrographic data can enhance port operations by allowing larger vessels to dock safely and reducing delays caused by navigational uncertainties.
Moreover, accurate seabed mapping is essential for:
Offshore energy exploration
Fisheries management
Marine conservation
Coastal tourism development
Experts argue that without reliable hydrographic data, Ghana risks underutilizing its maritime resources or exposing them to unsustainable exploitation.
The Data Deficit Challenge
Despite the optimism, significant challenges remain.
Globally, hydrographic surveys are resource-intensive, requiring specialized vessels, advanced sonar equipment, and highly trained personnel. Ghana currently faces capacity constraints in all these areas.
Dr. Ali acknowledged that the country is still in the early stages of building a “coherent hydrographic effort,” with preparatory work only beginning in earnest in 2024.
Bridging the data gap will require sustained investment, technical partnerships, and long-term political commitment.
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A Three-Year Deadline: Ambitious but Achievable?
The three-year timeline set by Ghana is ambitious by any standard. Hydrographic mapping programmes in other countries have taken decades to complete.
However, advances in technology—such as satellite-derived bathymetry and autonomous survey systems—are making it possible to accelerate data collection and reduce costs.
International bodies, including the IHO, have encouraged countries to leverage such innovations to fast-track hydrographic coverage.
Still, experts caution that speed must not come at the expense of accuracy and quality—particularly in high-risk zones.
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Conclusion: Charting a Safer, Smarter Maritime Future
Ghana’s decision to prioritize hydrography marks a significant shift in how the country views its maritime domain—not just as a geographic boundary, but as a strategic economic and security asset.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that the seabed holds critical information that underpins everything from trade and energy to environmental resilience and national security.
If successfully implemented, the three-year plan could position Ghana as a leader in maritime governance in West Africa, while delivering tangible benefits for its economy and people.
But achieving that vision will depend on more than ambition. It will require sustained funding, institutional coordination, regional cooperation, and a commitment to data-driven decision-making.
As Rear Admiral Fadahunsi aptly put it: “The charts we draw today will shape the waters we navigate tomorrow.”