Seafarers Employment

One of the Ghana Maritime Authority’s functions is to ensure the engagement and welfare of Ghanaian seafarers. To advance this mandate, the GMA has launched the Seafarer Employment Programme, designed to promote the employment of Ghanaian seafarers on all ships, particularly foreign-flagged vessels.

EU Recognition of Ghanaian Certificates

The Authority voluntarily submitted itself for audit by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). EMSA is a decentralized body of the European Union responsible for implementing EU legislation on maritime safety. The audit confirmed GMA’s compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

The European Union has since formally recognized seafarer certificates of competency issued by the Ghana Maritime Authority. This recognition opens a significant market for Ghanaian seafarers seeking shipboard employment on EU-flagged vessels.

Bilateral Agreements with Major Flag States

The GMA has also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with major ship-owning countries to recognize seafarer certificates and facilitate the employment of Ghanaian seafarers on their flag vessels:

Ghanaian seafarers seeking employment on foreign-flagged vessels can verify their certificate status through the Seafarers Certificate Verification portal or contact GMA for further information on placement opportunities.

Procedures and Requirements

Procedure for Issuance of Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Service Licence

The applicant shall officially write to the Director-General for a Seafarer Recruitment and Placement service license

  1. The application shall be accompanied by copies of the following:
    • Certificate to Commence Business
    • Certificate of Incorporation
    • The objective of incorporation, i.e. Form 3 or C
    • Labour Certificate
    • Office location and address
    • Statement of the category of seafarers to be recruited
    • Proof of requisite facilities to engage in the business of recruitment and placement of seafarers.
  2. Proof of insurance or equivalent appropriate protective cover for employment of seafarers
  3. The Director-General refers the application to the Maritime Services Division (MSD) for necessary action.
  4. MSD shall inspect the facility of the prospective manning agency to ensure that the prospective agency has the requisite facility to operate as a manning agency.
  5. MSD shall assess the report of the inspection of the facility, including supporting documents, and make recommendations to the Director-General.
  6. The applicant shall be directed to pay an approved licensing fee upon meeting all requirements.
  7. A license shall be issued by the Authority
  8. Please note that the Seafarer recruitment and placement license has one (1) year of validity subject to renewal. Furthermore, the application for renewal of the license should meet the following requirements:.
    • Copy of contracts with shipping companies/principals
    • Seafarers’ register, which should include
  9. The salary scale of seafarers
  10. List of vessels on which seafarers are placed.
  11. Receipt of GMA signing on fees for an SRPA engaging a seafarer
  12. Proof that the shipowner has means to repatriate the seafarer at the end of the seafarer’s contract
  13. Proof that the Seafarer has been informed of his/her rights with regard to the employment agreement.
  14. Proof that the employment agreement is in accordance with the relevant laws
  15. Proof of verification of the seafarer’s competence.
  16. Evidence of financial Security under Regulation 2.5 and Standard A2.5.2
  17. Evidence of Financial security under regulation 4.2 and Standard A4.2.1
  18. Evidence of payment of social security for seafarers engaged

Procedure for the Issuance of a Medical Certificate

An officer from the Maritime Services Division vets the applicant’s documents before issuing him with a PO Form. Once payment is made (at Ecobank), the applicant is issued with a filled-out medical certificate/medical report form

  1. The applicant shall proceed to the assigned medical center for the medical examination.
  2. The applicant shall submit the results of the medical examination to the registry.
  3. The medical certificate is issued if the medical report declares the applicant fit

Requirements for a Medical Certificate

Applicants must have a valid passport and a valid seafarer’s discharge book issued by the Ghana Maritime Authority or from the Administrative Authority of his or her country.

Please be informed that

  1. Applicants between 18 and above shall be examined at intervals not exceeding two years
  2. Applicants below 18 years shall be examined at intervals not exceeding one year
  3. Applicants serving on bulk chemical carriers shall be subject to an annual examination and blood test or at more frequent intervals according to the nature of the cargo.