The Head of Ghana’s Mission to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo who doubles as Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has presented his letters of credence to the Secretary General of IMO, Mr. Efthinios E. Mitropoulos at the Organization’s Headquarters in London. In a brief speech, the Secretary General of IMO called on the Government of Ghana to take the necessary steps to ratify the IMO Conventions, in particular the humanitarian convention, which was adopted by IMO in 1979 but has never been ratified by Ghana. The Secretary General disclosed that the humanitarian convention provides for member states to offer maritime assistance to ships in distress in the territorial waters in which they find themselves. He said once the Convention is ratified, Ghana would have to install system devices along its coastlines to receive distress calls and coordinate the activities of ships in her territorial waters in order to offer assistance and possibly save lives. Prof. Danso-Boafo assured Mr. Mitropoulos of commitment to the IMO. He said Ghana “will pay serious attention to the conventions” as they involve sustainable maritime development. He confirmed that the country would take the necessary steps to ratify the UN-IMO Conventions, especially those to do with humanitarian concerns. The High Commissioner said he was grateful to the IMO for their continued support in helping to find a lasting solution to the Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire border issues. The Secretary General assured the High Commissioner that IMO would work with all stakeholders to find a diplomatic solution for the benefit of the two countries, adding that “A strong political will and good faith should drive deliberations”. Ghana’s active representation on IMO is important at a time when the West African country is currently positioning itself as major player in the oil industry and would require the effective partnership with the shipping, oil and port industries that are active in the maritime sector. IMO also has the capability and the experience to assist in resolving the Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire territorial waters dispute. The Secretary General recounted Ghana’s past contributions to IMO and mentioned in particular Dr. Thomas Aboagye Mensah who became the first Assistant Secretary General of IMO in 1981. He praised Mr. Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General and Mr. Kofi Mbiah who currently chairs the Legal Committee of the IMO for their support and commitment to the work of the organisation. He said “Ghana should feel proud that a lot of the achievements of the IMO include the contribution of Ghana” He also encouraged Ghana to apply for full membership of the IMO Council. IMO is a United Nations agency that establishes international maritime rules, systems and regulations that govern “safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans”. The IMO pursues its mandate by adopting international maritime rules and standards that are implemented and enforced by Governments in the exercise of flag, port and coastal State jurisdiction. Countries requiring maritime assistance, and those interested in supporting sustainable maritime development, will therefore find the technical and legal instruments of the Organization’s global rules useful. His Excellency the High Commissioner thanked the Secretary General of IMO for the warm reception and expressed his support to “2010: year of the Seafarer” campaign. Source: Information Section, Ghana High Commission