Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has stated that Africa needs to leverage the fact that 38 out of the 54 countries are coastal countries for collective development of the continent.
He averred that opportunities in the maritime industry abound and represent trillions of dollars worth of goods and services and millions of jobs.
According to him, over 90% of imports and exports are by maritime transport, and observed that the 2050 Africa Integrated Strategy adopted in 2014 describes the maritime industry as the new frontier of the African Renaissance.
Addressing the 15th congregation ceremony of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) on Monday 2nd August 2021 in Accra, the Minister noted that opportunities in the maritime industry range from sectors such as shipping, logistics, insurance, port management, tourism, fishing, and aquaculture.
The sub-region, he said, can tap into the opportunities offered by this new frontier to propel its development and stressed, however, this can only be done if the capacity of the citizenry is built to enable them to participate.
Government, he said, therefore believes in the right to education as a fundamental principle to socioeconomic development.
He observed since its inception in the 1980s, the RMU has trained, equipped, and prepared thousands of students from the subregion for the maritime industry’s job market.
He said, “The University epitomizes the kind of regional integration yearned for under the African Union Agenda to tackle the challenges of development of the 21st century.”
“It is therefore refreshing to note that the founding member countries of the RMU (then the Regional Maritime Academy) have remained steadfast and very supportive of this institution.”
“As the host country of this institution, I extend our profound gratitude and appreciation to the Member States for this great show of togetherness in pursuit of our collective desire to develop the maritime industry in our respective countries,” he added.
According to him, the government has not relinquished its responsibility as the host country of the University but is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure as assented to at the time of regionalization.
He pledged that the University will undergo massive infrastructure facelift and retooling under the Economic Development Cooperation Framework between Ghana and Korea.
Feasibility study for the project, he said, is being finalized for the commencement and that the score of works will include a training ship for practical training, training simulators, educational equipment, and facilities.
“Government will continue to commit the necessary resources to ensure that this project takes off as it will positively impact on job creation for the teeming youth who would acquire relevant skills to work in the maritime and allied industries,” he said.
According to Mr. Kwaku Asiamah, the government believes the country’s inland water bodies can be leveraged to provide sustainable means of transport.
He disclosed that a railway line is currently under construction to link the main seaport of Tema to the Volta Lake at Mpakadan and that as part of the water transport system and that feasibility has been completed.
The project, he said, would see to the upgrade of existing infrastructure, construction of new ones, and provision of modern ferries and equipment.
The Minister explained that the RMU is an important player through the provision of the needed manpower especially in the training of seafarers and ship manning agents.
He assured that government will continue to provide the needed support and necessary frameworks to scale up the training of cadets and other skills required for the maritime industry.
Source: MyPublisher24.com