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The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) yesterday commemorated this year's World Maritime Day, emphasising the vital role of the sector in global economic and social development.
The day, which was instituted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), was on the theme: "Our oceans, our obligations, our opportunity."
The Director-General of GMA, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, said the authority had undertaken several initiatives to address key challenges in the maritime sector.
It included deployment of a search and rescue vessel named Martey Korley, on the Volta Lake at Kpando-Torkor to conduct search and rescue operations; establishment of an inland water unit with headquarters at Akosombo to ensure safety and security in the nation's inland waters, and bringing into action an offshore patrol vessel - MV Esther Afua Ocloo, to serve as a tier three response vessel to enhance efforts at protecting the marine environment, especially from oil spills.
Dr Ali said GMA was committed to protecting the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and had also purchased an advanced over-the-horizon surveillance system, an upgraded vessel traffic monitoring information system (VTMIS) which could detect activities far beyond the visible horizon.
This move, he explained, would help the authority monitor activities far at sea and improve surveillance of the maritime domain, adding that his outfit was also planning to establish a state-of-the-art Maritime Fusion Centre to integrate data from multiple agencies and international partners to ensure real-time intelligence sharing and rapid response to threats at sea.
Dr Ali further said that the authority was dedicated to ensuring the safety of communities and the maritime environment, including protecting the maritime space from threats and risks, addressing plastic pollution, and promoting sustainable development of marine resources.
The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, in a speech read on his behalf by the Director-General, Administration, at the ministry, Richard Fedieley, called for unity and collective action to protect the ocean for a sustainable, prosperous and secure maritime future.
He urged them to address maritime challenges such as Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and pollution.
"Our solemn obligation is to protect our precious ocean resources from the threats of pollution, over-exploitation, and the devastating impact of climate change.
“Similarly, our immense opportunity lies in harnessing its vast potential to accelerate the country's development through sustainable shipping, aquaculture, tourism, blue economy innovation, and energy security," the minister added.
The IMO Representative for West and Central Africa, Captain Dallas Laryea, commended Ghana for its leadership in the maritime domain within the sub-region.
He also emphasised the importance of protecting the ocean, which he said was under immense pressure from climate change, marine plastic pollution and biodiversity loss.
Capt. Laryea said IMO was working to address those challenges through the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the promotion of sustainable development of marine resources.
The Board Chairperson of the GMA, Jamilat Mahamah, said stakeholders must commit themselves to protecting the ocean and also promoting sustainable development of marine resources, adding, “By working together, we can ensure that the ocean remains a source of life, hope and prosperity for generations to come."
