Ghana Maritime Authority

17/08/2026

What’s the future of Ghana's maritime industry?

Catch the Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Kamal-Deen Ali live on Good Morning Ghana this Tuesday. He will address key challenges facing our waterways, outline major development projects, and discuss vital safety measures, including GMA’s ongoing life jacket for safety and livelihood initiative.

15/08/2026

If you missed the Director General’s interview on BBC, watch the replay here as he discussed Ghana’s landmark Maritime and Related Offences Law and its crucial role in safeguarding the region’s waters.

In the interview with BBC Focus on Africa, Kamal-Deen Ali outlined how this new legislation grants Ghana universal jurisdiction to prosecute piracy and related crimes at sea, regardless of where they occur.

He emphasized that fighting maritime crime requires a multi-faceted approach, combining robust legal frameworks, specialized training for prosecutors, enhanced coastal surveillance, and strong regional intelligence sharing through Zone F and the Yaoundé Architecture.

The Act passed by Parliament is expected to receive presidential assent soon.

14/08/2026

Catch the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali (Navy Capt Rtd), at 4:30 pm today on BBC’s Focus on Africa as he shares expert insights on Ghana’s Maritime and Related Offences Law.

Tune in and join the conversation as he unpacks key developments shaping national and regional maritime governance.

14/08/2026

GMA urges support for implementation of Port Call Optimization proposals at Tema Port

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting efficiency, innovation and digital transformation in Ghana’s maritime sector.

Speaking at the second Just-In-Time (JIT) Sailing/Port Call Optimisation Workshop at MPS Terminal 3, Deputy Director General of the GMA, Mubarick Masawudu, described the exercise as an innovation process aimed at improving efficiency across port operations.

Mr. Masawudu welcomed the actionable proposals emerging from the workshop and emphasised the need for their effective implementation. He also stressed the importance of establishing a Maritime Single Window to facilitate seamless electronic processing and information exchange among maritime stakeholders, noting that the GMA would pursue the necessary legislative instruments to support its successful implementation.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Ghana Revenue Authority - Customs Division, Port Health, Ghana Immigration Service, Meridian Port Services (MPS), and shipping lines and agents.

Discussions focused on addressing delays associated with Port Health processes, tug and pilot operations, berth allocation, customs clearance and documentation,vessel arrival and departure processes, with stakeholders identifying practical interventions to improve vessel turnaround time.

Director of Tema Port, Mr. Tebon Zumah, also underscored the importance of embracing the transition towards green energy, stressing that no stakeholder should be left behind. He noted that greater efficiency would be critical to keeping industry players competitive and sustainable. He further stressed on the need to apply the Just-In-Time sailing measures to the rest of the terminals at the Tema Port and to the Takoradi Port as well.

The workshop forms part of the IMO-GreenVoyage2050 Just-In-Time Sailing Project, which seeks to reduce avoidable vessel waiting time and advance a more efficient, digitally enabled and sustainable maritime sector in Ghana.

12/08/2026

GMA Director General Visits Caribbean Maritime University

In a bid to bolster international cooperation in maritime education, the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Kamal-Deen Ali , paid a strategic courtesy call on Professor Andrew Spencer, President of the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), on July 30, 2026.

The high-level meeting, held at the CMU campus in Kingston, served as a platform to explore synergies between the Caribbean Maritime University and the Regional Maritime University. Key discussions centered on bridging the gap between the two institutions through robust knowledge-sharing frameworks and the exchange of best practices.

A primary objective of the dialogue was to enhance the competitiveness and employability of seafarers from both Ghana and the Caribbean. By aligning training methodologies, both parties aim to produce world-class maritime professionals equipped to meet the dynamic demands of the global shipping industry.

As part of the visit, the Director General of GMA undertook a guided tour of the university’s state-of-the-art FESTO FACT Centre. He was given an in-depth demonstration of advanced simulators and industrial automation learning facilities, highlighting the critical role of technology in modern maritime training.

This visit marks a significant step forward in fostering South-South cooperation and ensuring that maritime education keeps pace with global industry standards.

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

Safer Inland Waters, Saving Lives

Boat operators in Kpando, Volta Region, have commended the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) for its sustained efforts to improve safety on the country’s inland waterways.

The commendation follows stakeholder engagements on the GMA’s “Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihoods” campaign, which includes the distribution of an initial 20,000 life jackets to support safer travel across 125 critical crossing points nationwide.

Authorities and traditional leaders in Kpando and Dambai have pledged their support for stronger enforcement of the “No Life Jacket, No Travel” policy.

The GMA remains committed to working with communities and stakeholders to protect lives and livelihoods on Ghana’s inland waters.

Wear a life jacket. Save a life.

10/08/2026

Wear a Life Jacket even if you can swim like a fish

That’s the strong warning from Nana Mprah Besemuna III, the Krachiwura, to all boat users in the Oti Region.

Speaking at a Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) safety sensitization programme in Kete-Krachi, he cautioned that no level of swimming ability can guarantee survival in a boat accident, stressing the importance of wearing life jackets at all times.
“Between your life and a smelly life jacket, which one will you choose?” he asked.

The Krachiwura recounted the tragic Okumah boat accident where 15 lives were lost. Lives he believes could have been saved if life jackets were worn.

As part of the “Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihoods” campaign, the Ghana Maritime Authority has procured 20,000 life jackets for distribution to boat operators at a subsidized rate of GH¢250 each. Operators who buy more than five jackets will receive an additional GH¢20 rebate per jacket.

To ease the financial burden, GMA is also offering flexible payment terms with a 20% down payment spread over five months. Rental options will also be made available.

Boat operators in Kete-Krachi, Kpando and Dambai have welcomed the initiative and are working on payment plans.

The Krachi West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Prosper Kwaku Addo, and the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC), have also pledged to change mindsets and enforce safety on the Volta Lake.

Your safety comes first. Wear it. Every trip. Every passenger.

10/08/2026

Ghana Takes Bold Step to Secure its Maritime Future

Ghana has taken a significant step toward strengthening maritime security with the Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026.

A two-day Stakeholder Sensitisation Workshop on the Bill was held at the Accra City Hotel under the theme, “Enhancing Maritime Security in Africa: Safe Seas for Africa.”

Organised by the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in collaboration with the UNODC and the European Union (EU), the workshop brought together key stakeholders from organisations such as the Ministry of Transport, Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force, Marine Police, Attorney General’s Department, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana and the Criminal Justice System.

The Bill seeks to strengthen Ghana’s legal framework for preventing, investigating and prosecuting maritime crimes, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, trafficking and other transnational organised crimes.

With the Bill passed by Parliament and awaiting Presidential assent, the engagement of stakeholders is crucial to ensuring effective implementation.