Ghana cannot afford to sleep through the Green Revolution at sea

Ghana has spent years talking about the potential of its maritime sector. We talk about Tema Port as a gateway to West Africa. We talk about jobs for our young people. We talk about industrialisation, trade and becoming a logistics hub.

But there is another transformation taking place on the world’s oceans, and Ghana cannot afford to watch it pass by.

The shipping industry is moving towards a lower-carbon future.

The question is not whether that transition will happen. The more important question for Ghana is whether we will be prepared when it does.

Because maritime decarbonisation is not simply an environmental conversation.

It is an economic conversation.

It is about who will build the technology, who will supply the energy, who will operate the ports, who will provide the expertise and, most importantly, who will get the jobs.

That is why Ghana must move beyond workshops, speeches and policy documents.

The ships are changing. Are we?

Recent engagements under the International Maritime Organization’s GreenVoyage2050 programme brought together stakeholders to discuss Ghana’s National Action Plan, financing, regulation, capacity building and the transition to low- and zero-carbon shipping.

More than 50 participants took part in discussions across shipping, ports and energy.

More than 600 students at Accra High School and 75 university students at the Regional Maritime University were also introduced to the emerging opportunities in maritime decarbonisation.

These engagements are welcome.