The Ghana Maritime Authority in collaboration with the Women in Shipping and Trade Association (WISTA Ghana) has assembled girls in Secondary Schools from the Accra Metropolis, to educate them and inspire them to take advantage of career opportunities in the Maritime Industry.

This was one of the key activities the Ghana Maritime Authority embarked on, as part of the Ghana Maritime Week celebration which is in line with the International Maritime Organization theme of empowering women in the industry.

Women participation in the maritime industry has increased over the past decade, and according to President of WISTA Ghana, Jemilat Jawulah Mahamah, it is the desire of accomplished women in this industry to bring to the minds of the younger generation the various avenues available for them to take careers in.

“We want to encourage as many of them as possible to join the industry. There are so many opportunities in the industry, there are so many jobs. Previously, what was known was shipping agents, or clearing agents. But there is more. We have maritime lawyers, marine insurers, we have chattered ship brokers, marine administrators, and marine engineers,” she listed.

She said parents and their wards, alike, should do away with superstitions that derail the progress of women in the pursuance of certain careers that have historically been male-dominated.

Felicity Ankoma-Sey, Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the Regional Maritime University who outlined the various courses of study available for the younger generation of women, encouraged the girls to take up opportunities at the Regional Maritime University.

Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, addressing concerns of harassments towards women seafarers and maritime professionals, expressed faith in international laws that would protect women who intend to take up careers in the sector and encouraged them to bridge the evident gender disparity in the maritime industry.

“Forget about the harassment. There are laws that will protect a woman on board the vessel. Shipping has advanced so a lot of things are changing to encourage more women on board.”