Regional Maritime University organized a two-week In-Crisis Communication course for English speaking Communication Officers drawn from Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra-Leone, Liberia and Cameroon for training on Effective Communication on Maritime Security.
Participants being lectured by the Regional Coordinator for Maritime Security in West Africa, Mr. Eric Glotin
This maiden programme for English speakers, similar to a first version held at the Regional Maritime Academy of Science and Techniques of the Sea (ARSTM), Abidjan, for French speakers, was aimed at developing the capacity of stakeholders in charge of Crisis Management and Public Relations on issues on Maritime Security and Safety, Human and drug trafficking and Crisis response in the Maritime domain of the Gulf of Guinea. The programme, funded by the EU and the Denmark Government under the Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Network (GoGIN) was to further prepare Regional Maritime Authorities and Stakeholders Agencies to strengthen Regional Cooperation on Maritime issues.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held for the participants, The Vice Chancellor of RMU, Prof. Elvis Nyarko, commended the EU towards the running of the GoGIN project at the Regional Maritime University (RMU). He announced that the Programme would be added to the array of courses run by the University’s Maritime Safety and Security Center to enable interested media and communication professionals to benefit from.
Insert: Vice Chancellor, Regional Maritime University, Professor Elvis Nyarko
Mr. Paolo Salvia, Deputy Head of Mission at the EU Office in Ghana, indicated that the sustainability of Maritime Resources, including fisheries, is a key concern for local communities as well as European customers. He stated that to this date, the Gulf of Guinea still encountered severe security threats such as Trafficking of Human beings, kidnaping, robbery at sea, illegal fishing among others. For this reason, Ghana has been mandated to host the Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (MMCC) for ECOWAS Zone “F” to coordinate Maritime Security activities. 
Inset: Mr. Paolo Salvia, Deputy Head of Mission at the EU Office in Ghana
The Regional Coordinator for Maritime Security in West Africa, Mr. Eric Glotin, spoke on the importance of the course to Maritime Stakeholders. He explained that the programme would better help them appreciate and better understand crisis of the Maritime Industry. He added that knowledge acquired from this programme would promote a strategic communication between the media and publics.
Inset: Regional Coordinator for Maritime Security in West Africa, Mr. Eric Glotin
Gifty Amgborme, Assistant Superintendent of the Ghana Immigration Service, in a speech delivered on behalf of the other participants expressed appreciation to EU for sponsoring the training. She ended that, “participants are poised and ready to represent their various Institutions in any crisis situation”.
Participants at the 2019 GoGIN Programme. Also pictured, Vice Chancellors of RMU (4th right), Deputy Head of Mission at the EU Office in Ghana (3rd right), and other dignitaries.
Information Source: Marketing Office
Information date: 06/ 02/2019