The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) is urging government to fully support the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in executing a strategic export labour policy to address the country’s high unemployment rate and position Ghana as a global hub for maritime professionals.
IEAG Executive Secretary, Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit, emphasized the GMA’s pivotal role in training and certifying Ghanaian seafarers for employment on foreign vessels. The demand for Ghanaian-trained maritime professionals remains high, with opportunities spanning multiple roles, including deckhands, engineers, pilots, stewards, and service staff.
Awingobit stressed that increased government investment would allow the GMA to expand training programs, equipping more unemployed youth with the skills needed to secure high-paying maritime jobs internationally. This initiative, he noted, is critical to integrating Ghanaian professionals into the global shipping industry and enhancing the country’s foreign remittance inflows.
During a courtesy visit to GMA’s Acting Director-General, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, IEAG reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Authority to ensure the successful implementation of the export labour policy. Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, in turn, acknowledged the IEAG as a key industry stakeholder and pledged to introduce strategic reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s maritime sector.
He highlighted the GMA’s dedication to advancing the government’s export labour policy and aligning its objectives with the broader 24-hour economy agenda, a policy framework designed to maximize productivity and job creation across key industries.
The IEAG’s call for enhanced government backing aligns with national efforts to position Ghana as a dominant force in the international maritime workforce. Strengthening the maritime sector will not only alleviate domestic unemployment but also boost economic growth through increased global employment placements and remittances.
With strategic policy implementation and investment, Ghana’s maritime industry has the potential to become a major contributor to the nation’s economic transformation, offering sustainable employment pathways for its growing workforce. The coming months will be crucial in determining how effectively the government responds to this call for action.
