The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Nikpe, has stressed the crucial role oceans play in global trade, climate regulation, food security, and national development at the celebration of World Maritime Day under the international theme, “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister, the Director in charge of General Administration at the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Richard Fedieley, reiterated Ghana’s commitment to sustainable shipping, green investments, and stronger global partnerships.
He assured stakeholders that Ghana is aligning its maritime strategy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on ocean life, climate action, innovation, and partnerships.
“The waters that touch our shores are not barriers; they are bridges of opportunity. Let us reaffirm our obligation to protect our ocean and seize the enormous opportunities it presents to build a sustainable, prosperous, and secure maritime future for Ghana, Africa, and the world,” he said.
He disclosed that Ghana had achieved a 100 per cent compliance rate with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, securing its position as one of West Africa’s safest maritime hubs, and outlined government initiatives to promote green shipping, invest in cleaner fuels, and improve energy-efficient port infrastructure in line with global decarbonization goals.
“Our solemn obligation is to protect our precious ocean resources from pollution, over-exploitation, and climate change, while harnessing its vast potential to drive economic growth through sustainable shipping, aquaculture, tourism, and innovation,” he noted.
He called for stronger partnerships among government, regulators, industry, and international stakeholders to address challenges such as illegal fishing, marine pollution, and digitalization of maritime operations.
On his part, the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Dr Kamal-deen Ali, emphasised that the Authority was taking bold, practical steps to safeguard the nation’s maritime and inland waters.
He announced the deployment of a second rescue vessel, Mata Kuli, at Keta, to be jointly operated with the Ghana Navy to strengthen safety operations on inland waters. He further disclosed that the Authority’s offshore patrol and oil response vessel, Eso Okunu, was being reactivated as a Tier 3 response vessel.
Additionally, he said Ghana has upgraded its Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) with an extended capacity of up to 200 nautical miles, providing over-the-horizon monitoring to improve maritime security.
Dr Kamal-deen highlighted initiatives such as a cleanup campaign, a public float across Accra, and new MoUs with the fishing industry to improve seafarers’ welfare and conditions of service.
He stressed that the Authority is committed to tackling plastic pollution, which he described as one of the gravest threats to ocean health.
“Our oceans are now a reservoir of plastics, and microplastics are finding their way into the food chain,” he noted.
He also announced the establishment of the Naval Captain Kamal-deen Award at the Regional Maritime University, to honour the best cadet who combines discipline with academic excellence. The Authority, he said, is also considering institutional awards to strengthen its ties with the university.
Adding her voice, the board chair of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Madam Jemilat Mahamah, underscored the critical role of the ocean in sustaining trade, jobs, biodiversity, and climate regulation.
She, however, cautioned that these benefits are under threat from climate change, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss.
The celebration reaffirmed Ghana’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)
