The Ghana Maritime Authority, under the Ministry of Transport, regulates Ghana’s maritime sector according to the Ghana Shipping Act 2003. It enforces international and national maritime laws, oversees infrastructure, vessel operations, pollution control, and seafarers’ welfare. Responsibilities include ship registration, inspections, training, port security, and implementing international conventions. The Authority promotes safe water transportation, protects the marine environment, and ensures safety for seafarers and inland waterways.
Overview
Functions of Ghana Maritime Authority
The functions of the Authority are enshrined in the provisions of the Ghana Maritime Authority Act,2002 (Act 630) as elaborated below:
- Implement the provisions of the Ghana Shipping Act, 2003(Act,645)
- Ensure Safety of navigation
- Fulfil flag state and port state responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner, having due regard to international maritime conventions, instruments and codes
- Conduct maritime search and rescue operations
- Regulate activities on the inland waterways including the safety of navigation
- Cause to be investigated maritime casualties and take appropriate action;
- Plan, monitor and evaluate training programes of seafarers to ensure conformity with standards laid down by international maritime conventions
- Oversee recruitment and welfare of Ghanaian seafarers
- Ensure the prevention of marine source pollution, protection of the marine environment and response to marine environment incidents in collaboration with such other public agencies and institutions as are needed
- Pursue the ratification, domestication, and implementation of international maritime conventions, in conjunction with the appropriate Ministry;
- Assess the manpower needs of the maritime sector for national planning purposes;
- Liaise effectively with government agencies and institutions that deal with maritime transport and related transport matters for the purpose of achieving harmony in the maritime industry;
- Initiate research into national maritime transport development for effective planning and coordination;
- Ensure an efficient, cost-effective and orderly provision of services in the shipping industry in line with government policies;
- Initiate action for the promotion, establishment and development of private shipping lines;
- Advice on policies for the development and maintenance of maritime infrastructure such as ports and harbors in the country;
- Advise the government on maritime matters generally;
- Regulate the activities of shipping agents, freight forwarders and similar shipping service providers.