GMA: Seafarer Examiner Training Bolsters IMO Audit Compliance

• The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) launched a five-day regional training program for seafarer examiners, assessors, and instructors at the Regional Maritime University.
• Professionals from Ghana and six other African countries are participating to enhance their skills in seafarer assessment and certification.
• The training adheres to IMO Model Course 3.12 and the STCW Convention, directly supporting Ghana's preparation for the 2027 IMO Member State Audit Scheme.
• The program emphasizes the critical role of assessment quality in ensuring seafarer competence and maintaining confidence in the maritime industry.
• It also addresses global concerns like air and sea contamination, updating instructors on new methods and IMO strategies for cleaner maritime operations.

This intensified focus on Ghana Maritime Authority seafarer certification integrity, driven by the upcoming 2027 IMO Member State Audit Scheme Ghana, signals a potential for stricter enforcement, updated regulatory requirements, and increased liability risks for maritime clients.

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has initiated a five-day regional training program designed to enhance the capabilities of seafarer examiners, assessors, and instructors. Held at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Nungua, the initiative aims to reinforce international benchmarks in maritime education and certification. This specialized training brings together maritime professionals from Ghana and six other African nations, including Cabo Verde, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, with a focus on updating their expertise in the assessment, examination, and certification processes for seafarers.

The program is structured to foster a collaborative environment, promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices in maritime assessment across all participating countries. The ultimate goal is to ensure that seafarers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate safely and efficiently, thereby upholding the integrity of maritime operations and the global reputation of African maritime professionals. This proactive step by the GMA underscores a commitment to continuous improvement in the region's maritime sector.

Mr. Mubarick Masawudu, the Deputy Director-General of the GMA, emphasized the critical importance of high-quality maritime assessment. He highlighted that robust assessment practices are fundamental to guaranteeing that seafarers, entrusted with vessels, cargo, and human lives, possess the requisite competence for their duties. According to Mr. Masawudu, examiners and assessors play a pivotal role in safeguarding lives at sea, protecting valuable cargo, and maintaining confidence in the broader maritime industry, as a certificate of competence serves as an assurance of its holder's knowledge and skills for a specific role.

This GMA seafarer examiner training IMO audit preparation is being conducted in accordance with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Model Course 3.12 and is fully aligned with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention Ghana compliance). The program holds particular significance as Ghana prepares for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme in 2027. Mr. Masawudu noted that the qualification of assessors and the integrity of examination systems are key areas that will be scrutinized during this upcoming audit, making the current training a vital component of Ghana's readiness strategy. The expectation is that updated assessors will empower Ghanaian seafarers to compete effectively on a global scale.

The training program extends beyond immediate certification needs, addressing evolving global challenges in the maritime sector. Mr. Milton Alfredo De Jesus Baron Perico, the Lead Facilitator, indicated that the curriculum would update instructors on the latest methodologies for assessing, examining, and certifying seafarers. He pointed out that increasing global concerns regarding air and sea contamination necessitate that maritime professionals continuously deepen their knowledge and capacity to respond to emerging issues. This includes adapting to IMO strategies aimed at reducing emissions from ships and promoting the use of cleaner fuels, which demand corresponding updates in maritime training.

This intensified focus on Ghana Maritime Authority seafarer certification integrity, driven by the upcoming 2027 IMO Member State Audit Scheme Ghana, signals a potential for stricter enforcement, updated regulatory requirements, and increased liability risks for maritime clients. Lawyers advising maritime clients in Ghana and West Africa should note this development. The training is expected to contribute significantly to improving safety, security, and environmental standards not only in Ghana but also across the participating nations, fostering higher maritime professional standards Africa-wide. The insights and discussions generated are anticipated to pave the way for greater achievements in ensuring that maritime professionals consistently uphold the highest standards of training and certification.

Lawyers advising maritime clients in Ghana and West Africa should note the Ghana Maritime Authority's intensified focus on seafarer certification integrity and examiner competence, driven by the upcoming 2027 IMO Member State Audit. This signals a potential for stricter enforcement, updated regulatory requirements, and increased liability risks related to seafarer qualifications and compliance with international maritime standards.

Source: Original reporting via GNA