National Seafarer Development and Placement Programme targets 20,000 Seafarers by 2036

The Deputy Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Mubarick Masawudu, has urged international employers to invest in Ghana’s disciplined and highly skilled seafarers.

Speaking at the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) conference in Southampton, UK, on the theme “Putting People at the Helm,” Mr Masawudu unveiled Ghana’s ambitious National Seafarer Development and Placement Programme (NSDPP).

The initiative seeks to expand Ghana’s registered seafarer workforce from 5,500 to 20,000 by 2036, with projected foreign exchange earnings of at least $360 million annually through remittances.

He described Ghana as a natural hub for maritime talent, citing the country’s youthful and trainable population, strong seafaring heritage, and unique paramilitary-style training model that blends academic rigour with discipline to produce resilient professionals aligned with international standards.

A key feature of the NSDPP, he explained, is the guarantee of sea-time placements through direct partnerships with shipowners and operators, tackling one of the industry’s toughest barriers to career progression.

Mr Masawudu also mentioned Ghana’s deliberate move to diversify crew roles beyond traditional deck and engine ratings, targeting technical and hospitality positions aboard passenger vessels. He announced plans for a digital certification platform to ensure end-to-end verification of seafarers, boosting international confidence in Ghanaian credentials.

Reassuring employers of Ghana’s compliance with international standards, he noted that the country strictly enforces the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) safety convention, maintains its International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Whitelist status, and has passed rigorous European Maritime Safety Agency audits.

He further stated ongoing curriculum upgrades, advanced simulation infrastructure, and training in green shipping technologies.

The DDG pointed to Ghana’s “Go to Sea” campaign, which is attracting young talent into maritime careers, complementing partnerships already established with Bahri Ship Management, Hafnia, Pacific International Lines (PIL), and Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC).

He added that Ghana is seeking support from the International Maritime Organisation to upgrade local training curricula, ensuring seafarers and instructors develop competencies in alternative fuels, biodiversity-sensitive operations, and digital maritime governance.

Mr Masawudu indicated that the NSDPP is not just about producing trained seafarers but about strategically positioning Ghana’s workforce for maximum global opportunity. He explained that sustainable financing mechanisms, including revolving funds, scholarship schemes, and industry partnerships, are being explored to ensure the program’s long-term viability.

He also confirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems, elevating seafarer welfare, and championing greater gender inclusion within modern maritime careers.

“Any operator who engages with Ghana’s maritime workforce will recognise the value of professionals who are technically trained, personally disciplined, and culturally adaptable to any fleet environment in the world,” Mr Masawudu assured delegates.