By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Tema, June 26, GNA – The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has commemorated this year’s International Seafarer Day, recognising the invaluable contribution of seafarers to global trade, economic growth, and maritime safety.
The International Seafarers Day is observed annually on June 25 to celebrate the dedication and sacrifices of men and women who work at sea to keep international commerce moving.
Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, Director-General of the GMA, as part of the celebration, engaged seafarers in renewing certificates and accessing other services at the Tema office of the GMA to better understand their challenges and gather feedback on recent service improvements.
Dr Ali also presented souvenirs to Ghanaian and foreign seafarers, reaffirming the authority’s commitment to stakeholder engagement and enhanced customer service.
He emphasised the indispensable role of seafarers in sustaining global trade and national economies, and Ghana joined the international community to commemorate the Day of the Seafarer.
Speaking at the event, he mentioned that President John Dramani Mahama would launch the National Seafarer Development and Placement Programme, a flagship initiative spearheaded by the GMA designed to strengthen Ghana’s maritime workforce and unlock significant opportunities for socio-economic growth through the development, training, and global placement of Ghanaian seafarers.
He described maritime transport as the foundation of globalisation, noting that countries remain interconnected through the movement of goods and services by sea, and highlighted that essential commodities such as fuel, medical supplies, and defence equipment reach Ghana through the efforts of seafarers, who often work behind the scenes but remain critical to economic stability and growth.
Reflecting on Ghana’s maritime history, he acknowledged the country’s achievements since the era of Ghana’s first president, whose vision led to the establishment of the Black Star Line and laid the foundation for maritime development and also commended former leadership and staff of the GMA for their contributions to the sectors.
Dr Ali noted that Ghana had earned a place on the International Maritime Organization’s White List, a recognition of the country’s high standards in maritime training, certification, and administration, saying that this achievement had positioned Ghana as a regional hub for seafarer certification, attracting candidates from countries such as Nigeria and Cameroon while enabling Ghana to issue internationally recognised certificates to seafarers from around the world.
He further praised the dedication and professionalism of seafarers, describing them as essential contributors to national and global economic progress and encouraged Ghanaian youth to explore career opportunities within the maritime sector, stressing that the industry offers significant employment prospects.
Mr Mubarick Masawudu, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Maritime Authority, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to advancing the welfare, professional development, and global competitiveness of Ghanaian seafarers through a series of upcoming initiatives, stressing that Ghana could similarly leverage its maritime human capital to drive socio-economic development and generate substantial foreign exchange earnings.
He announced that GMA was developing digital solutions aimed at improving access to services for seafarers, reducing the need for physical visits to its offices, and providing support in areas such as career guidance, mental health, and psychological well-being.
He added that the GMA was also strengthening its internal human resource capacity and expanding its digital infrastructure to enhance service delivery.
He urged seafarers to serve as ambassadors of the seafaring profession in the country and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and conduct, both at sea and ashore.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Elizabeth Larkwor Baah