By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Tema, March 18, GNA – Mr. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Transport Minister, and Madam Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, have paid a working visit to the cruise ship World Odyssey, docked at the Tema Port.
The World Odyssey, which is a floating university and cruise ship, is visiting the shores of Ghana as part of its global voyage.
The ship serves as a learning platform for students from various countries, by offering academic programmes while sailing across continents.
The visit by the two ministers was aimed at strengthening international relations, promoting tourism, and exploring opportunities for Ghana’s maritime sector while showcasing Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
It is also to strengthen partnerships in maritime education and explore opportunities for expanding the country’s role in the global tourism and transport sectors.
Mr. Nikpe, the Transport Minister, told the media that Ghana’s maritime industry was growing, and the presence of the World Odyssey vessel in the country presented a valuable opportunity for Ghanaians undergoing training in maritime studies, seafaring, and related fields, saying that students and trainees, including those at the Regional Maritime University, stand to benefit from the educational and professional exposure the ship offers.
He noted that the maritime sector provided numerous job opportunities and encouraged the youth to take advantage of these prospects to become well-equipped and certified seafarers in the country.
The Minister of Transport stated that his outfit would collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address challenges seafarers face when obtaining visas to work abroad to ensure smoother access to international employment opportunities.
Madam Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, stated that the blue economy was a key focus for many stakeholders, and collaborating with seafaring companies presents significant opportunities, emphasising the need to adopt best practices from the maritime industry to enhance Ghana’s tourism sector.
“There’s a whole unit set up for cleaning constantly because they have clients on the ship; that’s also something that we can learn from them to ensure that the hospitality facilities are kept as clean as possible no matter how old they are so that our clients can have memories that they can cherish,” she stated.
She expressed commitment to working with the Ghana Tourism Authority to leverage her expertise to attract more cruise ships into the country.
Captain Jan Christiansen, captain of the World Odyssey, stated that there were 20 students from different countries across the world on board the vessel undergoing specialised training in seafaring and various professional disciplines.
He said the vessel would berth at Tema Port for three days, allowing the students to engage in local maritime activities and cultural exchanges, after which it would proceed to Takoradi Port, where it would stay for an additional three days before sailing off.
GNA
LS/AD