The Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffe, has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to supporting the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in fulfilling its mandate to equip the Maritime sec­tor with essential manpower skills.

She stated that the University’s objectives were in alignment with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of generating employment opportunities for the youth of Ghana, contributing to the reali­sation of the 24-Hour Economy Agenda.

The Deputy Minister made these remarks during her working visit on Monday to the University and four other institutions under the Ministry in Accra and Tema.

The institutions include the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), the Tema Shipyard and Drydock, the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), where they were given a tour of the facilities.

The purpose of the visit was to provide the Minister and her team with firsthand insight into their operations and challenges, aiming to establish a new path forward.

Furthermore, Madam Affo-Tof­fe explained that this University was strategically positioned to play a significant role in the 24-Hour Economy by training maritime professionals and seafarers, thereby enhancing the country’s human resource capacity, especially within the maritime industry.

She consequently urged the management to intensify efforts in fostering job creation, both for seafarers and maritime profes­sionals in onshore sectors, while also aligning with Ghana’s blue economy agenda by leveraging the opportunities offered by ocean resources to stimulate growth in the maritime sector.

Moreover, the Minister urged management to leverage private sector to revamp the yard in order to develop the skills of the youth in Ship building giving its huge potential and economic value on the West African Coast

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr Jethro W. Brooks, who expressed gratitude to the Minister for her unexpected visit, announced that the institu­tion would soon launch a Mas­ters in Business Administration programme for seafarers, enabling them to benefit from the 24-Hour Economy initiatives.

He also indicated that another Master’s programme would be initiated focusing on the 24-Hour Economy to equip students with the requisite skills for entering the job market.

At the Tema Shipyard and Dry­dock, the Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Osman Suleiman, lamented the absence of maintenance over the years.

He indicated the about $50 million would roughly be needed as a first properly restructure the facility in order to be fully opera­tional.