Accra — There is a growing indication that the West Africa region is becoming a piracy zone as rebels from Nigeria's troubled Delta Region seem to be extending their activities outside their country's borders. Not only that, there is also worry that drug cartels and the proliferation of arms have gradually contributed to make the region a danger zone.

This is not the kind of news that the Ghanaian authorities would want to hear less than a year before the country's oil production starts. Already, some pirated vessels from Nigeria have been intercepted by the Ghanaian military and analysts say, this may not be an isolated case because intelligence analysts claim that these rebels are making the maritime activity in the region very difficult.

However, Minister of energy, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei seems to have calmed the nerves of Ghanaians when he announced that a high level committee of security and legal experts is to draft a policy document that aims to safeguard operations in the oil and gas sector.

Dr Oteng-Adjei was hopeful that upon its completion, the security policy document will create a safe, secure and enabling environment to facilitate the exploration, exploitation and distribution of oil and gas.

"More specifically, the policy will protect the petroleum industry against acts of terrorism, sabotage, piracy and vandalism," the Minister said.

In addition, he said, it will prevent the diversion and stealing of petroleum products, prevent other users of the sea from interfering with operations, maintain general law and order and render timely response to emergencies in the oil and gas sector.

It looks however, that the security agencies are also preparing themselves to meet this new challenge of piracy.

Defence minister Lt General Joseph Henry Smith announced on November 27 that a joint security surveillance of the Ghana Airforce and the Navy had intercepted a Nigerian oil vessel -- African Prince -- carrying about 5,200 metric tonnes of fuel. Earlier, military sources had announced that, the vessel which operates from Lagos to the Niger Delta, had on board a 28-member crew made up of 22 Nigerians and six Palestinians.

Upon the vessel's interception, it was found that the consignment of fuel on it was stolen from the Niger Delta in Nigeria and was to be off-loaded in the sub-region. Initial investigations show that the vessel was hijacked by 11 armed men off the coast of Ghana.

Suspected hijackers

Before the arrival of the Ghanaian Navy, all the 11 suspected hijackers escaped using speed boats. This is not strange because the rebels in the Delta Region are known to be well equipped with sophisticated gadgets.

Worried by the growing drug trade and the menace of the proliferation of arms in the region, Chief of Ghana's Naval staff, Rear Admiral Matthew Quashie said, the nation's democracy was likely to be undermined by these trends.

He noted that, the recent discovery of oil meant that the Navy had a major challenge on their hands.

This should not be just mere exhortations as the problem has become real with the interception of a pirated vessel in the country's waters.

There are however some challenges. The country's is under resourced as has been proved with the recent reports that international fishing vessels have been operating illegally in the country's waters.