Ghana has once again affirmed its reputation as a top destination for seafarers, earning praise for its supportive maritime policies and port services. According to the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), the country has been recognised by international bodies as one of the most seafarer-friendly nations along the Gulf of Guinea coast.
Speaking at a media engagement hosted by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) on the theme “Building a Safer Sea Experience Through Harassment-Free Ships”, Awudu Enusah, Principal Maritime Administrative Officer at the GMA, underscored Ghana’s reputation for hospitality and safety within maritime circles.
“When seafarers are in distress at sea and they happen to be within the Gulf of Guinea area, some of the destinations that they want to get to are Ghana because they know that we are very receptive,” Enusah stated.
He noted that the GMA’s regulatory framework, particularly under the Ghana Maritime Authority Regulation LI 2226, mandates officials to prioritise the well-being of seafarers who call at Ghana’s ports.
“If a port state controller boards a vessel berthing at Ghana ports, his interest is to ensure that the seafarer is well and comfortable on the vessel. We are supposed to ensure that seafarers calling at Ghana’s port are comfortable; it is also expected that everybody has a role to play.”he explained.
Zero Tolerance for Harassment at Sea
Enusah also addressed growing global concerns about harassment and bullying onboard vessels an issue the maritime industry is confronting with renewed urgency.
He emphasized the importance of cultural awareness, citing that some abusive behaviors might stem from ignorance rather than intent.
“As I am communicating with you, some of my gestures may be insulting in your culture, but I am not aware, and that’s why they decided that let’s catalogue the universal ones the ones that, irrespective of the culture, such conduct is wrong.”
That catalogue, initially published as a guideline, has now been incorporated into the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), he revealed. Regulation 4.3 of the Convention specifically mandates member states to protect seafarers onboard vessels from any form of harassment or abuse.
In this regard, Enusah highlighted the role of global institutions such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), whose joint efforts are shaping mandatory anti-harassment frameworks.
“The IMO and the ILO’s joint tripartite working group wanted it to be part of the laws so that it must be enforced by the maritime administration,” he said.
Need for Awareness and Education
Enusah stressed that seafarers must be educated on their rights and responsibilities, particularly regarding what constitutes harassment and bullying. He encouraged industry players to increase sensitisation efforts so that seafarers can both avoid engaging in inappropriate conduct and take appropriate action when they become victims.
“First of all, you don’t do it to others, and if it should happen to you, you know what to do. The interesting thing is that when it comes to issues of harassment and bullying, both the perpetrators and victims are seafarers themselves. Some of them don’t even know that what they are engaged in is bullying or harassment.”he noted.
He urged seafarers to familiarise themselves with international maritime labour regulations, many of which are publicly available online, especially through the ILO’s open-access portals.
The GMA’s statement reinforces Ghana’s growing influence in the global maritime industry, not just as a trade hub but as a leader in safeguarding the rights and dignity of seafarers who power international commerce.
