Accra: Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister of Transport, has reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to strengthening the Regional Maritime University (RMU) as a centre of excellence for maritime education and training. Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the 20th Congregation of the RMU in Accra, the Minister emphasized Ghana's dedication to academic excellence, technological innovation, and global competitiveness.
According to Ghana News Agency, a total of 417 students graduated at the event, with 83 earning Master's degrees, 242 obtaining Bachelor of Science degrees, and 91 receiving diplomas in maritime-related disciplines such as Marine Engineering, Nautical Science, and International Shipping and Logistics. Mr Nikpe highlighted RMU's longstanding role in maritime capacity development in West and Central Africa, producing skilled professionals impacting the global maritime industry.
Mr Nikpe expressed gratitude to the University's Board of Governors for entrusting Ghana with the leadership role and assured Member States of the government's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and modernizing the institution. He underscored the strategic importance of the maritime sector in Ghana's economic transformation and employment creation plans, particularly through the 24-hour economy policy leveraging modern supply chain systems.
He further pledged the Ministry's dedication to securing strategic partnerships that would enhance training facilities and provide sustainable research funding. Praising the University's management and staff for their resilience, Mr Nikpe commended the graduates as future drivers of Africa's blue economy and urged them to maintain competence, integrity, and resilience in their careers.
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was highlighted as a significant opportunity for the maritime transport sector. Mr Nikpe stressed the importance of integrating maritime education with modern supply chain systems to unlock new economic opportunities and adapt to global industry changes.
Dr Jethro Brooks Jnr., Acting Vice-Chancellor of RMU, announced the University's strengthened international partnerships through a new MoU with the World Maritime University in Malm¶, Sweden, which aims to promote joint research and faculty exchanges. However, he expressed concern over financial challenges, urging Member States to meet their financial commitments to enable necessary infrastructure upgrades.
Dr Brooks also addressed the issue of land encroachment at the University's Nungua site, calling for judicial and governmental intervention to safeguard the land for future development. He encouraged graduates to apply their skills to advance the maritime industry and serve their communities, reinforcing the University's mission as a globally recognized institution.