The Minister of Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in enforcing maritime laws and security and improving regulatory compliance to attract more shipping lines to boost economic opportunities for the country.
Speaking during his working visit to the GMA in Accra, Hon. Nikpe emphasized that “given that more than 80% of the world's goods are transported by water if the necessary structures are strengthened, Ghana's strategic position in the sub-region offers a significant opportunity to boost its maritime economy.".
According to him, the increasing congestion of Ghana's coastal road networks necessitates the improvement of inland water transportation as a substitute mode of transportation.
"The government remains committed to creating jobs and expanding opportunities, with the GMA playing a crucial role in that vision, despite the economic constraints that the present administration inherited," the Minister stated.
He recognized the difficulties the GMA has, such as the need to strengthen enforcement procedures and the lack of money for important initiatives.
The sector Minister gave the Authority his word that the Ministry would assist in resolving those concerns, especially those related to infrastructure development, inland waterway safety, and maritime pollution, and urged the employees to help their new Director-General fulfill the Authority's mission.
Expressing appreciation for the minister's visit, the Director-General of GMA, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, reiterated the Authority's dedication to strengthening Ghana’s marine industry.
To increase employment prospects for Ghanaian seafarers, he said the GMA was working on many programs, such as the Crew and Maritime Jobs Creation Drive.
He disclosed that the GMA was now modernizing its maritime surveillance technologies to improve security and oversight in Ghana's territorial waters.
‘The Authority would be able to efficiently monitor up to 200 nautical miles within Ghana's Exclusive Economic Zone with the new technology,’ he said.
Dr. Ali stated that Ghana's efforts to preserve the maritime environment were acknowledged on a global scale and promised the Authority would continue to enforce stringent environmental laws to maintain the progress achieved.
The Technical Director of the Authority, Captain Inusa Abdul Nasir, gave a presentation outlining the Authority's mission and main projects.
The Ghana Marine Authority Act, 2002 (Act 630) created the GMA, whose duties include overseeing, regulating, and coordinating marine industry operations.
