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By Kodjo Adams, RNG
Accra, 25 March, GNA – Ghana and Denmark on
Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to improve electronic navigation in the maritime sector
sector and support the implementation of international maritime regulations.
The agreement will strengthen the capacities of
four captains of tugs from Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority in advance
simulators in Denmark.
Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Transport and Mr. Thomas Kofi Alonsi, Director General of Ghana Maritime
Authority signed the three-year contract on behalf of Ghana while Ms. Tove
Degnbol, the Danish ambbadador to Ghana signed for his country.
The Ghana Maritime Administration (GMA) and the
Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) has launched a bilateral commitment which has resulted in
when signing a strategic cooperation in the maritime sector between the two
maritime administrations in 2017.
Mr. Alonsi stated that with respect to
In terms of compliance and enforcement, the GMA had benefited from the services of a quality consultant
DMA who came to Ghana to organize training workshops for various
stakeholders.
The consultant also conducted an audit simulation for
prepare the country for an IMO audit to determine the level of
implementation of IMO conventions in the country.
Mr. Alonsi explained that these measures helped
positioned the country to submit to the mandatory Member State audit in January,
2017, adding that the results of the audit made it possible to identify certain nonconformities,
This allowed GMA to develop a corrective action plan.
"It is expected that under the agreement, DMA
continue to badist GMA in implementing the corrective action plan to address
nonconformities identified in the audit report, "she added.
This, he explained, would help the country to
to comply with IMO standards by providing effective legislation to regulate the
maritime sector and ensure the safety and security of the waters.
He said that the way of enforcing the regulations
opportunity for the two maritime administrations to exchange information
experiments on ship visits and inspections with a view to strengthening the
skills of the staff of both authorities.
He said that the collaboration between the two
Authorities provided a platform to share their experiences for construction
the capacity of the staff of Ship Inspectors and Port State Control Officers,
improve compliance with IMO regulations and standards and strengthen information
on safe navigation.
Mr. Alonsi stated that Ghana was a party to the
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Surveillance of seafarers (STCW).
Ghana is on the white list of the IMO
who have fully implemented the requirements of the STCW Convention, including the
2010 amendments to Manila.
He said that the country had been successfully
audited by the European Maritime Safety Agency and had signed Memoranda of Understanding with
major European shipowners, including Norway, Germany and
Malta.
Mr. Asiamah said that more than 80% of
Maritime companies were run by multinationals, adding that the
This collaboration would contribute to strengthening the efficiency of the sector and to
Efficiency.
Ms. Degnbol said that Ghana is a country of long duration
partner of Denmark and an important maritime hub of West Africa, adding that
collaboration would provide capacity building support for the new Tema port
Complete and strengthen the links between the two maritime nations.
GNA
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