Ghana and Denmark have signed a Memoranda of Agreement to enhance e-navigation in the maritime sector and support implementation of international maritime regulations.
The agreement will build the capacities of four tug boat captains from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority in advanced simulators in Denmark.
Minister of Transport Kwaku Ofori Asiamah and Director General of Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) Thomas Kofi Alonsi signed the three-year contract on behalf of Ghana while Madam Tove Degnbol, the Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana signed for her country.
The GMA and Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) started a bilateral engagement which culminated in the signing of a Strategic Maritime Sector Co-operation between the two maritime administrations in 2017.
Mr Alonsi stated that with regard to compliance and enforcement, the GMA had benefited from a quality consultant from the DMA who came to Ghana to organise training workshops for various stakeholders.
He explained that these measures helped positioned the country to undergo the mandatory Member State Audit in January, 2017, adding that the outcome of the audit identified some non-conformities, which enabled GMA to develop a Corrective Action Plan.
This, he explained, would help the country to uphold the IMO standards by providing effective legislation to regulate the maritime sector and ensure the safety and security of the waters.
The collaboration between the two Authorities have provided the platform to share experiences by building capacity of personnel in ship inspectors and port state control officers, improve compliance with IMO regulations and standards and strengthened information on safe navigation.
Ghana had been audited by the European Maritime Safety Agency and had signed MOU’s with some of the major European ship owning countries including Norway, Germany, and Malta.
Mr Asiamah said over 80 per cent of the Maritime business was handled by multinational companies, adding that the collaboration would help strengthen the sector for effectiveness and efficiency.
Madam Degnbol said Ghana was a long-lasting partner to Denmark and an important maritime hub to West Africa, adding that the collaboration would provide capacity building support to the new Tema Port Terminal and strengthen the bonds between the two seafaring nations.