By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, Sept 23, GNA – The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), has joined the global community to celebrate this year’s World Maritime day.
The GMA began with a float, and community engagement at Mantse Agbona in Jamestown, Accra.
On the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”, the three-day event which will climax on Thursday, September 25, 2025, seeks to draw attention to the critical role of the ocean in the global economy and the maritime industry’s responsibility in protecting it.
Speaking with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Captain (Rtd) Dr Ali Kamal-Deen, the Director General of the GMA, said the celebration highlighted Ghana’s commitment to leveraging its maritime resources for economic benefit while ensuring safety and security in its maritime domain
He said the maritime sector offered opportunities that if harnessed properly, could drive sustainable development.
“The maritime industry plays a crucial role in moving 90% of the world’s cargo, including essential items like medicines and industrial inputs,” he said.
Dr Kamal Deen who touched on security matters within the industry, said the GMA was working to keep the maritime space safe and secure, while preventing pollution and addressing piracy concerns.
He said aside Ghana’s collaborative arrangement with Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and other countries in ensuring maritime safety and security in the region, the GMA was upgrading its Vessel Traffic Monitoring System to ensure 24-hour coverage of Ghana’s maritime space up to 200 nautical miles.
underscoring the importance of stakeholder collaboration, Capt Kamal-Deen who urged stakeholders to recognise their shared responsibility in protecting marine resources, said the GMA’s remained committed to promoting sustainability and safety in the sector.
“I urge all stakeholders to recognise their obligation and ensure maritime safety in the subregion,” he said.
He said in addition to securing Ghana’s maritime space, the Authority was also deploying vessels for inland water safety to prevent accidents and ensure community safety.
Among other things, the celebration is expected to underscore the ocean’s importance as a source of food, jobs, and livelihood; highlight collective responsibility to safeguard the marine environment; and explore opportunities in there.
World Maritime Day
The World Maritime Day is an annual United Nations observance that celebrates the international maritime industry and highlights the importance of shipping safety, security, and the marine environment.
GNA
23 Sept. 2025
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong