Ghana to promote maritime industry- Prof Akumfi

Nungua (G/A), Sept. 30, GNA- Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways on Tuesday announced that Ghana is in the process of preparing regulations on Merchant Shipping Certification to enable Ghanaian seafarers to obtain employment on foreign ships.

This is in fulfilment of the requirements of the International Convention on Standards for Training, Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW) for seafarers of 1995.

This was contained in a speech read for him by Alhaji Jawula, Chief Director of the Ministry at the celebration of the World Maritime Day at the Regional Maritime Academy (RMA), which had the theme "IMO-Committed people working for safe, secure and clean seas".

Ghanaian seafarers, especially the ratings have for the past 20 years been out of jobs ever since the Black Star Line vessels were sold out due to poor performance and their several pleas to get them employed failed.

He said Ghana having met the international standard for training and certification for seafarers is already on the white list of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

In order to support the IMO in its quest for safe, secure and clean seas, the Minister said the government has passed the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) act of 630 to bring into operation an institution that will take over the maritime administration of the country.

The Authority will serve as an effective machinery with the requisite institutional capacity to advise government on maritime matters and assist in the new Ministry to formulate policies, monitor, regulate and co-ordinate activities and programmes of the various sub sectors of the industry.

When established, the GMA would provide a licensing regime for seamen recruitment agents in order to streamline recruitment and guarantee the welfare of Ghanaian seafarers to avoid the payment of huge sums of monies before gaining jobs.

He said the computerisation of the Tema port through the GC Net, is designed to make the industry safe and secure and encourage the RMA to train more seafarers and maritime administrators.

To ensure safety of shipping and seafarers, the Minister said government has intensified its security network on the territorial waters, which has resulted in combating piracy and armed robbery. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi indicated that the Ministry is collaborating with stake agencies to develop a workable contingency and strategic plan for an effective National Oil Spill Response system.

The agencies are Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Navy, Tema Oil Refinery, Volta River Authority, and others.

The Ministry is also collaborating effectively with other sister countries in West and Central Africa on oil spill preparedness response and co-operation and called for the support of all to ensure that the industry is protected.

Captain Georgina Tackie, IMO representation for the sub-region stated that under the IMO's stewardship, standard in shipping have been raised to unprecedented level.

She said latest statistics show that the world's fleet consist of about 46,000 cargo-carrying ships, and the vast majority, operate for their lives safely, and efficiently within the sound regulatory framework built over the years by the IMO.

The casualty rate for all types of vessels has dropped dramatically over the decades and the amount of oil spill into the world's oceans continues to diminish.

Captain Tackie however, called for commitment, safety, security and sound environmental practices, dedication and skill of people who contribute to the implementation of the standards that are agreed on at the IMO.

She advised maritime lawyers and administrators in the member states to ensure that the new measures are properly incorporated into their national legal framework and the appropriate infrastructure, expertise and the necessary requirements put in place.

Representatives of the Ghana Merchant Navy Officers' Association and the National Union of Seamen appealed to the government to expedite action on the laudable move taken to improve the maritime industry in order to alleviate them of their plight.

Captain Aaron O. Turkson, Principal of the Regional Maritime Academy said the academy continues to review its programmes to meet the training and educational need of the Maritime Industry in the country. In addition to the traditional Higher National Diploma and the IMO mandatory short courses, the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Post Graduate Programmes covering all aspects of ports and shipping have been introduced, he said. 30 Sept. 03