The World Maritime Day Celebrations are held each year. The occasion provides a platform that brings together important actors and stakeholders in the Maritime Community to discuss matters of mutual concern. In keeping with this year’s theme, the celebration was particular on issues affecting Maritime Women hence dubbed” Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”
This year’s celebration by the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in collaboration with other stakeholders namely: International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ghana Ports and Harbor Authority (GPHA), Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) and the Regional Maritime University (RMU), witnessed an influx of matters to address the challenges faced by women in the maritime domain.
Dignitaries present were the Vice Chancellor (RMU), Professor Elvis Nyarko, Capt. Dallas Laryea, (Regional Rep. for West and Central Africa), Mr. Thomas Kofi Alonsi Director-General(GMA), Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah (Hon. Minister of Transport), Management members of the RMU. Others were staff of the various participating agencies under Ministry of Transport, Ghana.
Key addresses delivered has been paraphrased below:
Welcome Address by the Vice Chancellor, RMU
In his speech for the occasion, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Elvis Nyarko, mentioned that the RMU has put in place many reforms to train more women for the Maritime Industry in accordance with the objectives of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5). Towards this end, further training is given by the University (RMU) to female graduates to become future lecturers of the University. He called on the Government, Ministry of Gender, District,Municipal Assemblies, Traditional Authorities as well as Women Groups such as WISTA, WIMOWCA and others to consider supporting women to take up training to actualize the objective of the SDG-5.
The Vice Chancellor, RMU, Professor Elvis Nyarko
Speech by the Honorable Minister of Transport, Ghana
Touching on the theme of the day, the Hon. Minister, Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah celebrated the likes of Captain Majorie B. D. Ayettey (one of the first females to be recruited for a one-year Pre-Sea training at the RMU, and by dint of hard work rose through the ranks to become the first woman to Captain a Ship and thereafter served as Head, Technical Co-operation Implementation and Co-ordination Section, IMO) Captain Hannah Aggrey (affectionately known as Maritime Grandma,whose obsession is to mentor hard working young females. She is the patron of the Maritime Ladies Association of the RMU, and a Senior lecturer, RMU), Captain Henrietta Ama Thanki MNI (Marine Pilot with the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority) among others for the determination in chalking success in the history of maritime women. He affirmed Governments support to enroll at least 50% intake for ladies into the RMU.
Hon. Minister of Transport, Ghana, Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah,
Address by the Director-General, GMA
In his address, Mr. Thomas Kofi Alonsi, re-echoed the objectives of the SDG 5.
He appraised the efforts of the Ghana Maritime Authority in bringing together Maritime stakeholders towards the realization of the SDG 5. He pledged GMA’s continues support to the empowerment of women in the Maritime sector through gender specific initiatives. Towards realization of this dream, he stated that the GMA, has over 32% of its staff as women, and made a call to gender parity
Mr. Thomas Kofi Alonsi, Director General GMA.
Speech by the IMO Regional Representative for West and Central Africa.
In a speech read by the IMO Rep for West and Central Africa, Capt. Dallas Laryea, he quoted the IMO Secretary General, Mr. Kitack as follows “Women in the maritime world today are strong, powerful and constantly challenging old-fashioned perceptions.Experience tells us that diversity is better; it’s better for teamwork, better for leadership – and better for commercial performance. The maritime world is changing. And for the better.”
He called on Governments, Organizations, Companies and Training Institutes, as well as individuals, to let IMO know how World Maritime Day is being celebrated, and to highlight initiatives they have been undertaking or are planning to support gender equality in their country, organization or other entity.
Capt. Dallas Laryea, IMO representative for West and Central Africa
THREE RMU STUDENTS AWARDED
Three (3) students of the University were awarded by the Ghana Maritime Authority for presenting the best essays out of a total of over five hundred (500) essays received on the topic “Challenges in Achieving the Empowerment Goal; the Realities Facing Women in the Maritime Industry”. The opportunity was open to female’s students of the Regional Maritime University in commemoration of the World Maritime Day Celebration. Details of the awards are as follows:
- First place- A Laptop
- Second place- GHc 1,000
- Third place-GHc 500
Margret Golo, a level 200 student of the Faculty of Maritime Studies (offering Nautical Science) won the first place followed by Fumi Laryea, a level 300 student, of the Department of Transport (Ports and Shipping) and Priscilla Medakpe, a level 400 student, of the Department of Transport (Ports and Shipping) for third and fourth places respectively
Winner Margret Golo (middle) with the 3rd (first from left) and 4th (third) winners in display.
In Sum
Every year, IMO celebrates World Maritime Day, which is used to focus attention on the importance of Shipping safety, Maritime security and the Marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO’s objectives.IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. World Maritime Day is celebrated in the last of September each year.
Information Date: 2nd October, 2019
Information Source: Marketing Unit