Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe has strongly reiterated the government's commitment to transforming the Regional Maritime University (RMU) into a maritime training institution of choice and will continue working with member states to ensure the progress of the university.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 33rd Board of Governors (BoG) Meeting in Accra, he said, “Ghana is committed to positioning RMU as a maritime training institution of choice and will continue working with member states to ensure the progress of the university,” Mr Nikpe stated.
He added that the maritime sector would play a pivotal role in the government’s Resetting Ghana Agenda, with emphasis on leveraging every available opportunity to realign the country’s socio-economic development through the proposed 24-Hour Economy model.
“RMU remains a cornerstone institution, providing essential maritime education and training in the region. It has empowered young professionals to take on critical roles in the global maritime industry,” he said.
Hon. Nipke disclosed that the long-abandoned Auditorium Complex and Lecture Hall projects of RMU would soon be completed, revealing that the ministry had approved a sum of one million Ghana cedis towards the completion of the Auditorium Complex and was finalising an agreement for an increased loan facility of $173 million from the Korea EXIM Bank.
The funding according to the sector Minister will support the modernisation of RMU through the provision of training ships and simulators, construction of lecture theatres, civil works, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the institution’s training effectiveness.
Liberia’s Maritime Commissioner, Cllr Lighe, Sr on his part, affirmed his nation’s steadfast commitment to human capacity development through maritime education.
He highlighted tangible progress, noting, "A total of twenty-two Liberian students are currently enrolled at RMU, and seven will be among this year’s graduating class.
Commissioner Lighe, Sr also pointed to broader national initiatives designed to connect maritime training directly with job opportunities.
As the Regional Maritime University (RMU) continues to face increasing demand for quality training, the Board of Governors stressed the vital importance of forging stronger partnerships with the maritime industry. Commissioner Lighe assured attendees that Liberia would remain proactive in responding to RMU's requests for educational materials and support services.
The gathering featured high-level representation from the five member states of the university: Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon, and The Gambia. Prominent dignitaries in attendance included Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport, Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay; Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe; The Gambia’s Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Ebrima Sillah; Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, Hon. Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe; Liberia Maritime Authority Board Chairman, Hon. S. Tornorlah Varpilah; Liberia's Minister of State for Special Projects, Hon. Samuel A. Stevquoah; and the Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., among others.
