By Nii Martey M. Botchway/ Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Sept. 3, GNA – The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), has launched an Incubation Consultation Workshop aimed at developing a strategic document for the country’s transition to a green and sustainable maritime industry.
The event, opened by Ms. Dorcas Affo- Toffey, the Deputy Minister for Transport, brought together key stakeholders from the Ministry of Energy and Transition, APTAC, and other partner organizations.
The workshop is a critical step in Ghana’s ongoing commitment to aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime sector.
The Deputy Minister said Ghana’s strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea and its vibrant port infrastructure “uniquely positions us to reduce the risks of the green transition while unlocking opportunities for inclusive national development.”
She commended the International Maritime Organization’s decarbonisation roadmap and stood ready to explore collaborative inter-ministerial and global partnerships to ensure a just transition in the maritime industry for Ghana.
She said the Green Shipping Corridors initiative was therefore not merely a concept, “it is a transformative commitment to reimagining how we move goods, connect nations, and protect our planet.”
During his opening remarks, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, the Director-General of the GMA, while acknowledging the maritime industry’s 3 per cent contribution to global emissions, emphasised the sector’s determination to lead the transition to zero-carbon shipping.
He highlighted the complexities involved for developing nations, such as Ghana, in balancing technological advancements and green fuel transitions with the cost of shipping, which could impact the prices of essential goods.
The Director-General noted that the GMA, under the Minister of Transport, had been proactive in this area for years.
He also mentioned the technical support from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which enabled Ghana to develop a National Plan of Action for green transition, which the IMO had praised.
“Additionally, the GES transition project, another initiative by the GMA and its global partners, seeks to optimize shipping routes and port times to reduce both emissions and costs,” he said.
Prof. Ransford Gyampo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, emphasised Ghana’s pivotal role in the global shift towards sustainable maritime transport.
He highlighted the need to advance trade and economic growth in a manner that also protected the environment.
Prof. Gyampo urged Ghana to be an active participant and not a “spectator” in the green shipping trend, stressing that visions alone could not deliver results.
He called for deepened partnerships and insights to accelerate the nation’s journey toward zero-carbon shipping.
The workshop provides a platform for stakeholders to share input and collectively develop the new strategic document, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach for the country’s maritime future.
This initiative underscores Ghana’s leadership in the sub-region and its dedication to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the global community.
GNA
3rd Sept. 2025
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong