Ghana and the United Kingdom have renewed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in hydrography and maritime governance.
This is to enhance safe navigation, promote sustainable ocean management and support economic growth through the advancement of Ghana’s blue economy.
The commitment was made at the maiden Hydrographic Governance Workshop held in Accra yesterday.
It was organised by the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in collaboration with the Ghana Navy, the Ministry of Transport and the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO).
The workshop brought together key maritime stakeholders, including policymakers, naval officers and technical experts to discuss the country’s path towards establishing a coordinated national hydrographic governance framework.
Partnership
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Transport, the Director-General of Administration at the ministry, Richard Fedieley, said hydrography was a key driver of the country’s maritime development and economic growth.
He explained that hydrography, the science of measuring and describing the physical features of oceans, seas, rivers and coastal areas provided the foundation for safe navigation, efficient maritime trade and environmental protection.
Mr Fedieley further stated that with over 80 per cent of the country’s imports and exports being transported by sea, the government recognised the strategic importance of accurate hydrographic data in port development, marine spatial planning and the sustainable use of ocean resources.
He said the Ministry of Transport was committed to supporting the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Navy, and other partners to build a robust hydrographic system.
“We must work together to create a coordinated structure that ensures all maritime data is collected, analysed, and shared effectively.
This is why the establishment of a National Hydrographic Office remains one of our top priorities,” he said.
Progress
The United Kingdom Defence Attaché, Commander Richard Walters, commended Ghana for the significant progress made in strengthening maritime governance and advancing hydrographic capacity.
He said Ghana’s creation of a National Hydrographic Office, its active participation in the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), and the Navy’s growing technical expertise were clear signs of the country’s commitment to modernising its maritime operations.
Commander Waltets stressed that hydrography was not only about mapping the seabed but also about protecting lives and livelihoods.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, said the Ghana Navy had taken deliberate steps to build a professional hydrographic capacity to support safe navigation, national development, and maritime security.
He revealed that 10 naval officers had undergone specialised hydrographic training in the UK and India to improve local expertise. Additionally, the Navy had started implementing basic hydrographic surveys u
The Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, called for a unified national approach to hydrography that brings together all relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, universities and research institutions.
He explained that various entities in Ghana, such as the Navy, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and some academic institutions were already conducting hydrographic or oceanographic work but the lack of coordination reduced the efficiency and national benefits of such efforts.
“The desire to have a National Hydrographic Office is something we are charting. We must move together, share our expertise and centralise our hydrographic knowledge for national benefit,” Dr Ali said.
