Ghana’s maritime sector witnessed a major milestone on Thursday, July 3, with the successful hosting of the maiden Maritime Leadership and Innovation Day at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

Organised under the theme “Charting New Waters: Legal, Blue Economy and Maritime Futures for West Africa,” the event brought together leading voices from across the continent to discuss innovation, legal reform, and sustainable development in Africa’s maritime space.

The conference was hosted by Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Esq., Senior Presidential Advisor and Presidential Aide to President John Dramani Mahama, in collaboration with alumni of the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI).

The day featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking sessions centred on blue economy development, maritime infrastructure, policy reforms, and legal capacity-building.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, and other senior government officials, legal experts, and key private sector players.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Senyo Hosi made a compelling case for greater collaboration among African ports, cautioning against the dangers of unhealthy competition.

“Instead of racing against each other, our ports must work together to become globally competitive. Fragmentation only weakens our position in international trade,” he stated.

He stressed that regional cooperation was vital for West Africa to fully harness the economic benefits of its maritime resources, calling for integrated infrastructure development, legal harmonisation, and shared investments across countries.

Both Madam. Mogtari and the Minister for Transport lauded the event’s strong focus on innovation, policy direction, and legal development as crucial steps toward unlocking the full potential of West Africa’s blue economy.

The Centre for Blue Economy Africa (CBE Africa) was also recognised for its technical contributions and advocacy.

Organisers expressed optimism that the Maritime Leadership and Innovation Day would become an annual platform for actionable dialogue and collaboration to position Ghana as a maritime hub in West Africa.