The second phase of the Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers workshop officially commenced on Monday, 28 September 2026, at the Bernhard Schulte Ship management (BSM) Centre, Regional Maritime University (RMU). 
The five-day workshop, organised by the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), aims to build the capacity of seafarer examiners in alignment with emerging developments within the maritime sector.
It brought together representatives from the industry as well as maritime and education training centres (METIs).
Capacity Enhancement
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Director of the Maritime Services Division at the GMA, Ms. Janet Houghman Addy, said the train-the-trainer programme was designed to enhance the capacity of assessors and trainers to effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with international standards. 
She noted that emerging developments in the maritime sector, including maritime decarbonisation, Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), digitalisation, and other new technologies, are transforming the skills required of seafarers.
Consequently, she stressed the need for training, examination, and assessment practices to evolve in line with these developments.
“The IMO Model Course 3.12 supports the effective implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) requirements for training and assessment and further provides guidance to ensure that competence is assessed consistently in accordance with the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended,” she said.
Ms. Houghman Addy further reminded examiners and assessors of their direct responsibility for maritime safety, stressing that assessments form the basis for the Certificates of Competency issued by the Authority.
She therefore urged assessors to exercise sound and impartial professional judgement, supported by clear and objective evidence.
RMU
The Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jnr., on behalf of the management of RMU, commended the GMA for their continued cooperation and support to the University and the maritime industry in Ghana. 
He also expressed appreciation to the management of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) for demonstrating its commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RMU and supporting efforts to advance maritime activities in Ghana and the sub-region.
Dr. Brooks emphasised the importance of collaboration among maritime stakeholders, noting that sustained cooperation was essential to strengthening maritime training and developing a common approach to training across Ghana and the sub-region.
