A significant milestone was achieved on Friday, July 19, 2024, as the Vanuatu Trade Commission Ghana (VTC GH) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Centre for International Maritime Affairs, Ghana (CIMAG), and the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS) at a ceremony held at the CIMAG premises.

The event marked a groundbreaking collaboration to foster sustainable development and enhance the maritime and legal educational sectors in Ghana and across Africa.

In his opening remarks, Mr Anthony Yao Jim-Fugar, the Board Chairman of CIMAG, expressed his excitement and gratitude over the historical collaboration.

The MoU between CIMAG and the VTC GH aims to establish a robust cooperation framework to project the image and activities of the Vanuatu Trade Commission in Ghana through various media and public engagements. These initiatives will include articles, reports, conferences, and workshops, focusing on sustainable development using the AKL Lumi currency as the main driver.

H.E. Ambassador Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee, in his speech, highlighted the MoU's multifaceted purpose, stating that the partnership is not just a formal agreement but “a beacon of our shared commitment to promoting sustainable development and enhancing the maritime sector.”

"Our collaboration aims to leverage the strength and expertise of both CIMAG and the Vanuatu Trade Commission to create impactful initiatives that resonate with our common goals and vision," he explained.

He emphasized the collaboration's focus on the Blue Economy and sustainable development, supported by the AKL Lumi currency to drive economic growth and environmental preservation.

On the side of IPLS, Ambassador Aryee outlined the comprehensive framework for cooperation between IPLS and the Vanuatu Trade Commission. This partnership will support academic excellence, infrastructure development, and the training of students, faculty, and administrative staff in the transformative field of AI.

The collaboration will include training in prompt engineering, deep learning, and machine learning, and the provision of research grants, with the Vanuatu Trade Commission covering all costs.
"This partnership signifies the beginning of a transformative journey," Ambassador Aryee said. "It is a testament to our dedication to fostering innovation, enhancing academic and technical training, and driving sustainable development in Ghana and beyond."

Mr Albert D. Fiatui, Executive Director/CEO of CIMAG, remarked that the collaboration is poised to be a game-changer for Ghana's Blue Economy, Africa, and the Diaspora. "We look forward to working closely with the VTC GH and ADCB," he said.

CIMAG, known for its advocacy and research in maritime industry policies and ocean governance, sees this partnership as pivotal.

Mr Alex Nartey, ESQ., revealed that their initiative would train 10,000 lawyers, 5,000 media practitioners, 5,000 paralegals, 5,000 traditional chiefs and queen mothers, and 5,000 youth leaders in AI.

He emphasized the need for Ghanaians to embrace this opportunity, stating, "It is a wake-up call to all and sundry that Africans are capable of handling their own affairs."

Dr David King Boison, CEO of Knowledge Web Centre (KWC), the consultancy institution contracted to train 5,000,000 Africans, underscored the economic potential of AI. "Having a hands-on knowledge of AI is bound to create economic activities on its effective utilization," he said.

Both CIMAG and IPLS expressed their gratitude to VTC GH, ADCB, and KWC for their groundbreaking support, marking the beginning of a transformative era in their respective fields.