West and Central Africa commits to maritime training

Experts commit to future of RMU

SIERRA LEONE: Senior maritime officials and experts from across West and Central Africa convened in Freetown for the 34th Board of Governors’ Meeting of the Regional Maritime University (RMU), calling for a modernisation of the curriculum and reaffirming their collective commitment to strengthening maritime education, innovation, and cooperation in the region.

The meeting brought together participants from the six member states of the University: Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, The Gambia, and newly admitted Guinea-Bissau, along with representatives of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA).

Delivering the opening address, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation and Chairman of the RMU Board, Alhaji Fanday Turay, expressed gratitude to Liberia for its continued leadership and tangible contributions to the University’s development.

He praised the completion of a modern 50-bed dormitory built and donated by the Government of Liberia at the RMU campus in Accra, Ghana, a facility that, he announced, is now fully occupied by students.

Speaking at the ceremonial opening, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner/CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), highlighted Liberia’s contributions to the University’s growth, including infrastructural development and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Port Authority (NPA) and RMU to enhance training in port management, cargo handling, digital transformation, and environmental compliance.

Commissioner Lighe urged member states to modernise curricula, embrace digital learning, and expand research capacity to ensure RMU remains a centre of excellence capable of meeting global maritime standards. “The RMU must continue to stand as a beacon of specialised higher education, fostering transformation and unlocking opportunities in our region’s maritime sector,” he said.

He also reaffirmed Liberia’s candidacy for re-election to Category A of the IMO Council, pledging to maintain a strong African voice within the organization’s highest decision-making body. “Liberia stands ready to continue being a champion for Africa at the IMO,” he declared.

A major highlight of this year’s session was the formal induction of Guinea-Bissau as the sixth member state of the RMU Board, a milestone that expands the University’s regional footprint and strengthens its governance.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Marciano Silva Barbeiro, Minister of Transport of Guinea-Bissau, the Permanent Secretary expressed his government’s commitment to fully honour the responsibilities arising from its membership and to work with other member states to ensure that RMU continues to serve as a benchmark for academic and scientific excellence, innovation, and African cooperation.

He thanked member states for unanimously welcoming the Republic of Guinea-Bissau into the RMU, describing the move as a gesture of solidarity and a testament to the region’s shared vision for growth within the African maritime family.

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