The Minister of Transport, Mr Kwaku Ofori-Asiamah has stated that the Government of Ghana (GoG) is positioning Ghana’s maritime space as the go-to hub in the sub-region.
He said the government is partnering with the private sector to invest heavily in port expansion projects to equip the Tema and Takoradi Ports with state-of-the-art gantry cranes and other logistical facilities to receive bigger vessels.
The Minister of Transport, Mr Kwaku Ofori-Asiamah addressing the judges at the seminar
The investments will significantly improve vessel turnaround time, reduce congestion and invariably boost the economy of Ghana through trade facilitation.
The Minister gave the assurance at the opening session of the 12th Maritime Law Seminar organised for the judges of the Superior Courts of Ghana by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) with support from the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) on 11th October, 2019 in Accra.
To ensure safety and security in Ghana’s maritime space, Mr Ofori-Asiamah said a Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) which enables monitoring of activities at sea has been upgraded to enable manning officers monitor activities even beyond the coast of West and Central Africa.
“This facility enables direct communication with captains of vessels to provide real-time assistance in the event of piracy attacks. Ghana is therefore on course to becoming a safe haven for vessels in the sub-region. Due to such investments and the positive strides made over the years, we keep enjoying the attention of many other vessels on a regular basis, to dock, refuel and receive other shipping services and support”, he added.
Ms Benonita Bismarck giving the Authority’s assurance to protect and promote the interests of shippers in Ghana
In a welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Ms. Benonita Bismarck assured shippers in Ghana of the Authority’s readiness to assist them to lessen the effect of the implementation of the IMO 2020 Sulphur cap, which comes into effect on January 2020, on their businesses.
She added that the Authority’s contribution in giving training to the judiciary in maritime law will go a long way in ensuring a vibrant, prosperous and stable maritime trade and transport for Ghana.
“It is our hope that with this effort and with other things being in place, Ghana could soon become the centre for the adjudication of maritime cases in the sub-region.”, she said
A section of the judges at the seminar
The maritime law seminar provides a platform to update the knowledge base of the Justices of the Superior Courts of Ghana to adequately prepare them for the challenges of interpretation and application of both domestic and international law on maritime issues.
