By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, April 22, GNA – The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has strongly defended its handling of a vessel at the centre of a political dispute, following criticism from Samuel Awuku, Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, over its release from Ghanaian waters last year.
The Authority’s response follows public concerns raised by Mr Awuku regarding the circumstances under which the vessel, MV Sankofa, was cleared after being intercepted within Ghanaian waters.
In a statement issued on April 22, the GMA rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing, stating that the vessel, MV Sankofa (IMO No. 7395870) was not registered under Ghana’s flag at the time of its interception in Senegal and therefore had no operational link to the country.
According to the Authority, the vessel has undergone multiple name and registration changes since it was first recorded in 1983.
It explained that the ship was officially removed from the Ghana Ship Registry in April 2024 after its owners completed the required deregistration procedures.
The GMA also clarified that another vessel previously bearing the same name had been deregistered earlier, stressing that maritime regulations did not permit two vessels with identical names to exist concurrently on the national register.
It said the vessel first came under scrutiny in July 2025, when it was intercepted within Ghana’s territorial waters by the Ghana Navy during a routine patrol and escorted to Sekondi for inspection. Crew members reportedly indicated that it was undergoing sea trials following engine repairs.
Subsequent inspections uncovered a number of regulatory breaches, including deficiencies in record-keeping, violations of maritime labour standards, and evidence of false flagging.
The GMA further noted that financial penalties were imposed on the vessel. However, investigators found no proof that the vessel had engaged in unauthorised commercial operations within Ghanaian waters, limiting the scope for further sanctions under existing laws.
Following partial payment of fines, completion of remedial technical work, and the acquisition of provisional registration under the Cameroon flag, the vessel was released in November 2025.
In March 2026, authorities in Senegal contacted Ghana to verify the vessel’s status after it was flagged over suspected involvement in drug trafficking.
The GMA said it confirmed that the ship was not Ghanaian-registered and formally distanced the country from its operations.
A subsequent search by Senegalese officials reportedly found no illicit substances on board.
The Authority also disclosed that Mr Awuku had initially submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request, which he later withdrew, before a subsequent request surfaced publicly after being submitted through a courier.
While assuring that it would respond to the RTI request, the GMA described as deeply concerning the publication of restricted communications between Senegalese authorities and Ghanaian law enforcement agencies.
The Authority, which reiterated its readiness to appear before Parliament to provide clarification, also raised concerns about how the matter had been handled in the public domain.
It warned that the disclosure of security-related correspondence could undermine established protocols governing international law enforcement cooperation.
“The conduct of the MP is inconsistent and appears to be a deliberate attempt to mar the reputation of the Authority and, by extension, the Republic of Ghana,” the statement said.
Mr Awuku, who also serves as Vice-Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Public Administration and State Interests, has maintained that his actions fell within Parliament’s oversight role and has indicated that he will pursue the matter formally.
The issue is expected to be examined by the relevant parliamentary committee, where the Authority has reiterated its willingness to provide evidence.
GNA
22 April 2026
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong
Writer: Nii Martey M. Botchway
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