Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali is the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority and one of the Vice Presidents of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly, elected during its 30th session in Kingston, Jamaica. He has an extensive background in ocean governance, defence, security, international law, and international relations. He served 20 years in the Ghana Armed Forces, including as Director of Legal Affairs for the Navy and Director of Research at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. Previously, he was Executive Director of the Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa. Since 2004, he has advised governments, regional bodies, and global organizations on ocean governance and maritime security.

Dr. Kamal-Deen was a co-author for the UN High Panel on Sustainable Oceans Economy (2019), contributed to UNECA’s Blue Economy Handbook (2016), and helped shape the Gulf of Guinea maritime security framework (2011). He has consulted for the UNDP, UNODC, EU, AfDB, ECOWAS, US State Department, and others, leading key strategies for Nigeria and Ghana. He holds a PhD in Maritime Governance and Security (Wollongong), an LLM in International Maritime Law (IMLI, Malta), and a Master’s in International Affairs (Ghana). He is also an Adjunct Professor at Nelson Mandela University and author of Maritime Security Cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.

Richard Fedieley is an accomplished public servant with extensive experience in research, statistics, information management, and administrative leadership within Ghana’s Public Sector. He currently serves as the Minister for Transport’s representative on the Board of the Ghana Maritime Authority, bringing his vast expertise to the governance of the nation’s maritime domain. Beginning his career at the Ministry of Health, he played a key role in the rollout of major national programmes, including the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Over the years, Richard has held several senior positions, including Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation (2018-2021).

He also served as Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management at both the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development (2021-2023) and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (2023-2025). Furthermore, he has held strategic roles at the Ministry of Finance, where he oversaw critical operational and monitoring functions. Mr. Fedieley is recognized for his leadership in policy implementation and public sector reform, as well as his participation in key regional and international engagements, such as AARDO, AAPAM, ECOWAS planning forums, and the West Africa Health Summit. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Sun Yat-Sen University, China, along with postgraduate qualifications from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Geography & Resource Development and History from the University of Ghana, Legon. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to continuous professional development and excellence in governance.

Patrick Essien (PhD) is an accomplished Environmental, Space Weather, and Climate Change Scientist with extensive expertise in environmental governance, atmospheric science, and sustainable natural resource management. He currently serves as the Deputy Director at the Mining Department of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana, where he leads regulatory oversight and environmental compliance within the mining sector.
Representing the EPA as an institutional member of the Board of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr Essien provides a strategic blend of scientific excellence and policy insight to support institutional transformation and national development.

His distinguished career spans both regulatory leadership and academia, having previously served as a Senior Lecturer and Research Scientist at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), where he contributed significantly to research in atmospheric physics, climate change, and environmental monitoring. Beyond his scientific and regulatory roles, Dr Essien is the Founder of Molex Foundation Africa, an organization dedicated to promoting STEM and TVET education, youth leadership, and the empowerment of girls through innovation-driven development.His technical proficiency in mining, sustainability, and climate science allows him to offer unique perspectives on environmental stewardship and the long-term sustainability goals of the maritime industry.

Prof. Ransford Edward Van Gyampo is a Professor of political science and the founding director of the Centre for European Studies at the University of Ghana, with over 20 years of experience in teaching and research. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority and represents the authority on the Board of the Ghana Maritime Authority, where he champions the interests of shippers and promotes international trade. A prolific scholar with over 200 publications, his expertise spans Governance, Public Administration, Maritime Security, and Natural Resource Management. He has held fellowships at the University of South Florida and the University of Bristol and has served as a senior research fellow at both the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA-Ghana) and the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG).

Beyond his administrative and academic roles, Prof. Gyampo is a prominent figure in labor leadership. He is the immediate past President of the University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG), having previously served a two-year term as the Association’s General Secretary. In these capacities, he played a crucial role as a catalyst in shaping labor union activism and advocating for improved conditions of service for university teachers and the Ghanaian workforce at large. A native of Saltpond in the Central Region and Larteh in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Prof. Gyampo has been instrumental in shaping the nation’s legislative landscape, contributing to the drafting of Ghana’s Presidential Transition Act and the Right to Information Act. He is also a member of Ghana’s Electoral Reforms Committee and the ROPAA Consultative Committee. He holds a PhD from the University of Ghana and Tufts University, USA. He is married with three children and is a Christian of the Pentecostal faith.

Over the years, Richard has held several senior positions, including Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation (2018-2021). He also served as Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management at both the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development (2021-2023) and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (2023-2025). Furthermore, he has held strategic roles at the Ministry of Finance, where he oversaw critical operational and monitoring functions. Mr. Fedieley is recognized for his leadership in policy implementation and public sector reform, as well as his participation in key regional and international engagements, such as AARDO, AAPAM, ECOWAS planning forums, and the West Africa Health Summit. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Sun Yat-Sen University, China, along with postgraduate qualifications from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Geography & Resource Development and History from the University of Ghana, Legon. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to continuous professional development and excellence in governance.

With over a decade of specialist expertise in procurement, logistics, and supply chain governance, Ms Catherine Dela Dzivenu is a professional dedicated to ethical supply chains and public sector reform. Her career is built on a foundation of strategic sourcing and risk mitigation, having held key roles such as Procurement Manager at Highgate Hotel, Retail Advisor at Vodafone Ghana and a Procurement Officer at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).In 2025, she was appointed to the Board of the Ghana Maritime Authority, where she leverages her background to drive operational efficiency, cost optimization, and sustainable procurement practices.

Ms Dzivenu’s technical proficiency is supported by an academic portfolio, with a Master’s degrees in Public Affairs and Logistics & Supply Chain Management, complemented by a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and an HND in Purchasing and Supply.
This diverse educational background equips her with high-level capabilities in policy analysis, regulatory compliance, and complex stakeholder management. Ms Dzivenu remains a leading advocate for good governance and the modernisation of procurement systems to meet international standards.

Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono is a distinguished Ghanaian military officer, legal practitioner, and strategic leader, currently serving as the Acting Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). With a career spanning several decades, he brings a rare combination of military discipline, legal expertise, and international experience to one of Ghana’s most critical trade and logistics institutions. Prior to his appointment, Major General Tanye-Kulono served as Deputy Commandant of the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) at Burma Camp, Accra, where he played a key role in shaping high-level strategic and defence leadership. His extensive military career includes several senior appointments such as Chief Coordinator at NCDS, Assistant Commandant at the Training and Doctrine Command, Deputy Director-General of Training at General Headquarters, and Deputy Force Provost Marshal.

On the international front, he served with distinction as Officer in Charge of Special Investigations at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), demonstrating his competence in complex multinational operations. Educated at some of the world’s prestigious institutions, Major General Tanye-Kulono holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution from the George Washington School of Law, a Master in Management Studies from Osmania University in India, and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Ghana. He has also undertaken courses from institutions such as the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the United States Army Command and Staff College, and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre In his new role as the Acting Director General, Major General Tanye-Kulono is committed to positioning GPHA as the leading trade and logistics hub of West Africa and beyond.

Mr. Stephen Tetteh Adjokatcher, a distinguished entrepreneur and influential leader in Ghana’s logistics, fisheries, and hospitality sectors. Mr. Adjokatcher is the President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) and the immediate past President of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA). He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Santa Shipping Co. Ltd. and Santa Fisheries Ghana Ltd., with business interests spanning Shipping, Fisheries, Real Estate, Hospitality, And Agriculture. In his role as President of GIFF, Mr. Adjokatcher has led significant policy reforms aimed at modernising freight forwarding in Ghana, strengthening global partnerships, and enhancing professional standards within the logistics industry. His leadership has positioned GIFF as a key stakeholder in national and international trade facilitation. On the international front, Mr. Adjokatcher serves as a Vice President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), where he contributes to advancing efficient, fair, and sustainable global maritime transport systems. Mr. Adjokatcher has also contributed extensively to public service and governance. He served as a Member of the Fisheries Commission Board from 2020 to 2024, representing the fisheries industry through the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG). He currently serves as a Board Member of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), where he contributes to maritime policy development and regulatory oversight.

During his tenure as President of GITA, he championed critical reforms within Ghana’s industrial trawl sector, including the pilot implementation of Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS) on vessels and strong advocacy against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. His leadership significantly improved transparency, compliance, and sustainability within the sector. Mr. Adjokatcher is an alumnus of Adisadel College and is widely recognised for his strategic vision, commitment to innovation, and dedication to sustainable economic growth. His work continues to drive collaboration and development across Ghana’s key industries. As the President of GIFF, Mr. Adjokatcher has been mandated to represent the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) on the Federation of African Freight and Logistics Associations.

Ing. Samuel Odartey Lamptey is a distinguished Mechanical Engineer and an exemplary leader with more than 30 years of service in Ghana’s energy sector. He currently serves as the Deputy Chief Executive (Engineering & Operations) of the Volta River Authority (VRA), overseeing hydro, thermal, and renewable generation assets to ensure operational excellence and the sustainable delivery of electricity to Ghana.

Throughout his career, Ing. Lamptey has held several leadership positions at the Volta River Authority, including Director of Thermal Generation, Director of Technical Services, Plant Manager at Takoradi Thermal Power Station, Safety Manager and Project Manager for Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme. In these roles, he has played key roles in transformative initiatives such as the Akosombo Generating Station retrofit, the successful relocation of the Ameri Power Plant to Kumasi, and the design of Integrated Management Systems for Nuclear Power Ghana.

Ing. Lamptey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), an Executive MBA in Banking and Finance from the Paris Graduate School of Management, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

Ing. Lamptey is widely recognized for his visionary leadership, engineering expertise, and dedication to safety and operational excellence. His work has not only strengthened VRA’s generation capacity but has also contributed significantly to energy security and system reliability across Ghana. Beyond technical achievements, he has been a mentor to many engineers, building capacity and shaping future leaders in the energy sector.

He is a Fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineering and a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. His leadership has left an indelible mark on the progress of engineering and power supply in Ghana and across Africa.

Hon. Dr. Eric Cobbinah was born on 25th November 1985 and hails from Shama in the Western Region. Dr. Cobbinah obtained his first degree in Geography and Sociology from the University of Cape Coast and also a Bachelor of Laws from the same university. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Development Management from the School of Development Studies, University of Cape Coast. He obtained his Ph.D. in Management Science Engineering from the School of Management at Jiangsu University in China. Dr. Cobbinah also holds a Master of Laws degree in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of Ghana School of Law and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws in Energy Law from the same institution. Dr. Eric Cobbinah is also a final-year student of Ghana School of Law pursuing the Professional Law Course. Dr. Cobbinah has a diploma in business management and administration from the Institute of Commercial Management (ICM, UK). A certificate in International Fisheries Law from the International Maritime Law Institute, Malta, and a certificate in Corporate Finance, Risk Management, and Governance from the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana.

He is also a licentiate member of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants (CIAMC) Ghana. His area of expertise includes development management, strategic planning, organizational behavior, local governance, corporate governance, petroleum law, insurance law, banking law, fisheries law, and corporate and commercial law. Dr. Eric Cobbinah was a District Chief Executive of the Shama District Assembly during the first government of President John Dramani Mahama; he is currently the Deputy Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission of Ghana in charge of General Services, a director at Lower Pra Community Bank, and a member of the governing board of the Ghana Maritime Authority.