The School of Maritime Operations (SMOPS) held an opening ceremony, 23 February 2026, at the SMOPS Auditorium, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Nutekpor, Ghana, to begin the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Basic Course.
The two-week training program seeks to improve participants’ ability to carry out VBSS operations in support of maritime security and efforts to curb transnational organized crime at sea. The course focuses on building operational competence, strengthening interagency collaboration, and improving coordination in maritime law enforcement activities.
In his address, the Commanding Officer of SMOPS, Naval Captain Michael Cudjoe, welcomed participants to NAVTRAC and spoke about the demanding nature of the maritime domain. He explained that maritime crime often crosses national borders and requires countries to work together to address it effectively.
Naval Captain Cudjoe encouraged participants to maintain professionalism and discipline throughout the course while working closely with one another. He urged them to exchange knowledge and experiences, noting that many countries face similar maritime security challenges that they can tackle more effectively through cooperation.
He also stressed the need for harmonized standard operating procedures, stating that common operational guidelines allow countries in the sub-region to conduct joint maritime operations more smoothly.
The course is part of ongoing initiatives to build maritime security capacity and promote stronger regional collaboration against maritime crime.
source: maritimafrica.com
African Maritime Council