RMU hosts IMO Secretary General, Kitack Lim

The Regional Maritime University has held a parade in honor of the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, Kitack Lim, on his maiden visit to Ghana.

The IMO boss is on a working tour of the African continent to familiarize himself with developments ongoing here and also identify challenges his outfit can assist in finding solutions to.

The Regional Maritime University which is a dedicated institution for training maritime, oil and gas and logistics experts for the sub-region runs the IMO mandatory orders of courses, explaining why the University is important to the international organization.

The Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime Organization, Prof. Elvis Nyarko remarked that the IMO has been instrumental in the development of the institution, in terms of funding and capacity building following its regionalization.

“The IMO further provided funding to build staff capacity and it is also on record that for close to a decade after the regionalization, almost all the students who pass through this institution were trained with full sponsorship from the IMO through the UNDP,” he indicated.

He said, the RMU is continuing to advance its educational opportunities, in order to contribute its quota to the maritime industry, especially the growing oil and gas industry.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Daniel Titus-Glover, emphasized that, Ghana remains committed to providing the global maritime industry with skilled personnel, as well as ensuring that international standards of work are adhered to.

“It is the commitment of the Government of Ghana to continue to stay abreast with development within the Maritime industry and also to ensure that Ghanaian seafarers stay relevant in the blue economy to ensure that the IMO and its ally agencies will thrive for efficient delivery of Maritime Trade in our country.”

He said the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Transport, and maritime institutions is ready to collaborate with the IMO to bring optimum development to the global maritime landscape.

The Secretary General of IMO, Kitack Lim, indicated that, the maritime industry has gained extreme prominence in the world economy, becoming an indispensable component, therefore students should demonstrate commitment to taking advantage of the opportunities handed them, in order to further contribute to the work that has been done in the future.

“What you are learning, I believe, is the basis for the blue economy and the maritime industry. What you are learning is of great power in the future so I hope you study harder,” he advised.

He acknowledged the University’s commitment to adapt to the changing dynamics of the maritime domain, and praised Government’s interest in being supportive. “When it comes to government, I had a strong indication from the Transport Ministry and the Maritime Authority to support the maritime domain,” he praised.

The IMO boss assured that his outfit would continue to reinvent itself to provide international standards that safeguard the environment, provide security as well as promote efficiency in the maritime domain. Kitack Lim was treated to a tour of the entire university complex.