Charting a new course: The GMA’s ‘Reset Agenda’ one year on

In the high-stakes world of maritime governance, a year can pass like a quiet tide or hit like a powerful wave of reform.

 For the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), the past 12 months under new management have been less about settling in and more about optimising the authority’s structural framework to accelerate Ghana’s maritime growth.

The "Reset Agenda" was launched not merely to maintain course, but to modernise the authority’s identity and align it with the evolving demands of the global blue economy.

While 12 months is a brief moment in the life of a state institution, it has been a period of profound structural realignment and strategic expansion with clear results, according to the Director-General, Naval Capt (retd) Dr Kamal-Deen Ali.

Reflecting on his first year, Dr Ali described the period as both fulfilling and eye-opening, stating that the role revealed far more complexity than it was visible from the outside.

Realignment

The reset began from within, where, upon the assumption of office, the DG identified that the authority’s most critical engine, its human resources, needed a complete overhaul.

The organisation faced a challenge with some divisions being overstaffed, while others, like the Human Resource unit itself, lacked the manpower to fulfil the majority of its mandate.

A comprehensive staff reorganisation process was launched, involving a database review to ensure every employee was in the right role, aligning skills with competence.

This restructuring extended to various divisions such as the Technical Services Division, which saw over 100 per cent of its staff realigned, while the Public Relations Department was bolstered with new sub-units to meet modern communication needs.

Coastline

Beyond internal realignment, a major theme of the past year has been visibility and accessibility. Recognising that maritime safety is not just a coastal concern, the authority has aggressively expanded its presence into Ghana’s inland waterways.

This strategic shift saw the establishment of a dedicated office in Akosombo, where staff have been deployed to provide safety oversight and regulatory enforcement.

This new arrangement serves as a hub for infrastructure development and the formalisation of water transport, facilitating the government’s agenda for a national multimodal transport network.

The expansion continued with the identification of Kpando-Torkor and Kete Krachi as new strategic hubs for office space and accommodation.

The deployment of the search and rescue boat, Martey Korley, at Kpando-Torkor has turned the area into an important centre for the GMA’s monitoring and rescue activities.

To manage costs and improve local synergy, the authority also launched a district integration programme, negotiating with District Assemblies in areas such as Ellembelle, Jomoro and Shama, all in the Western Region, to embed maritime staff within local structures.

Meanwhile, plans are in motion for a coordinating office in Wa to oversee safety on the White and Black Volta crossings, vital links between Ghana and its neighbouring countries.

The GMA is also working closely with the Ministry of Transport to revive the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC), ensuring that inland water transport becomes a reliable driver of economic connectivity.

Community-based approach to safety

Safety on inland waterways remains the GMA’s primary mandate. In 2025, the authority procured 7,000 life jackets, but the true innovation was in the delivery model, according to Dr Ali.

Recognising that boat owners often lack storage, Dr Ali said the GMA was rolling out a subsidised rental model, making safety affordable and practical.

Additionally, the authority is launching a community-based Safety Guard Programme where young people would be recruited and trained from communities with water crossings.

The GMA is using this approach to simultaneously create jobs and ensure that those who know the waters best are the ones protecting them.

Seafarer export

Historically, Ghana produced some of the world's finest seafarers, but the country has recently lost ground to regional competitors such as Ethiopia, South Africa and Nigeria.

Dr Ali is determined to change that trajectory by shifting the GMA from a passive regulator to a strategic job creator.

Through high-level dialogues with international giants such as the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), Hafnia, and the International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC), Ghanaian cadets and ratings are now securing international sea-time and employment.

A landmark partnership with Hafnia alone has seen a commitment to employ about 600 Ratings over three years, with training periods at the Regional Maritime University being extended to meet global standards.

This effort is underpinned by the new National Seafarer Development and Promotion Policy (NSDPP), which aims to transform Ghana into a competitive source of global maritime labour.

Hydrography

A fundamental pillar of the "Reset Agenda" is the authority’s renewed focus on hydrography, the science of mapping the seas. 
Recognising that the blue economy is hinged on knowing exactly what lies beneath the surface, the GMA is treating the mapping and charting of Ghana’s waters as a top priority.

"You cannot manage what you cannot see," Dr Ali said, emphasising that accurate hydrographic data was the key to ensuring vessel safety and opening new maritime routes.

To this end, the authority is committed to the significant investments required to modernise its charting capabilities, providing the precision necessary to navigate Ghana's waters safely.

Technology, security, trade

Beyond physical safety, the GMA is driving the government’s goal to promote robust coastal and inland transportation.

Under the direction of the President, the authority has engaged in high-level discussions with marine cargo handling companies to support the feasibility of coastal shipping operations.

This collaborative spirit extends to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), where talks are well-advanced to synchronise efforts and streamline the movement of goods and people.

However, for transportation to thrive, security must remain a priority. The year 2025 marked a technological leap with the procurement of a modern Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) to replace the outmoded system from 2012.

Once installed at the new head office, the technology is set to power the Maritime Fusion Centre being established.

This centre will serve as a coordination point to collect, analyse, and share real-time maritime data, acting as a frontline defence against threats such as piracy, illegal fishing and smuggling.

This new "situation room" will allow the GMA to monitor Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in real-time, ensuring safe waters for economic growth.

The journey has not been without turbulence, as Dr Ali candidly points to the burden of restructuring, addressing years of unfulfilled promotions and high workforce costs.

Similarly, economic fluctuations have also posed a unique challenge; with GMA charges indexed in US dollars but collected in a strengthening Ghana Cedi, revenue inflows have been impacted.

"Our budget was indexed at GH¢15 to the dollar, so the Cedi's appreciation actually creates a dwindling inflow for our projects," the Director-General explained.

2026, Beyond

As the new management enters its second year, the momentum is set.

The election of the Director-General as the Vice-President of the International Seabed Authority in July last year has further enhanced Ghana’s reputation on the global stage. 

Looking ahead, Dr Ali remains optimistic, aiming to complete the internal restructuring while continuing to build a conveyor belt of skills that will serve the global maritime industry and keep Ghana’s waters safer than ever before.

Issued by the Public Relations Unit, Ghana Maritime Authority