Ghana Takes Helm of Regional Maritime University Board, Vows to Fix Funding and Infrastructure Gaps

Ghana has taken over the chairmanship of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) Board of Governors, with Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe assuming the role of Chancellor and Board Chairman at the institution's 35th Board of Governors Meeting, held in Accra.

The handover was conducted by the outgoing Chairman, Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay, Sierra Leone's Minister of Transport and Aviation, who completed a two-year tenure at the helm of the sub-regional institution.

Accepting the role, Mr Nikpe described the appointment as a strong vote of confidence in Ghana and pledged to work with all member states to tackle the university's most pressing challenges, including infrastructure deficits, funding constraints and unresolved tenure issues. He committed to promoting good governance and financial sustainability to raise the institution to greater heights.

Blue Economy at the Centre

The minister emphasised the university's critical role in training seafarers, maritime administrators, engineers and logisticians to power Africa's blue economy, noting that the seas were central to the continent's economic future. He assured stakeholders that Ghana, as the host nation, would continue to champion the university's vision and foster closer collaboration among member countries to advance regional integration and trade.

During his valedictory address, outgoing Chairman Turay highlighted key milestones achieved under his leadership, including a 30 per cent rise in student enrolment, the admission of Guinea-Bissau as a new member, infrastructure improvements and improved financial stability — gains he said had strengthened the RMU's standing as a leading maritime education institution in West Africa.

The RMU is jointly owned by several West and Central African countries and is widely regarded as a cornerstone of maritime training on the continent, with the maritime sector accounting for more than 80 per cent of Africa's international trade.