A Maritime Law expert, Dr Kamal-deen Ali has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).

Dr Ali, brings to the role a unique blend of academic credentials, a distinguished professional career, and extensive practical experience in law, maritime governance, defence, security, and international relations.

He is a retired Naval Captain who served in various capacities within the Ghana Navy. He also has 26 years of experience at the Bar as a private legal practitioner with a focus on maritime law.

Prior to his appointment, Dr Ali served as the Executive Director of the Centre of Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa), an organisation providing policy advisory and reform services across seven African countries.

In 2023-2024, he was listed among the top 50 personalities influencing Africa's Blue Economy.

Dr Ali who becomes the fourth Director General of the Authority since its establishment will also be the first mainstream industry person to be appointed to the role.

The retired Naval Captain has served as an expert and consultant in the Ghanaian maritime sector and other countries, including Nigeria, The Gambia, and South Africa.

His notable achievements include his role in the legal team for the Ghana-Cote d'Ivoire maritime boundary dispute, leading the drafting of the Ghana Maritime Offences Bill, and developing Ghana's National Integrated Maritime Strategy.

He was also instrumental in developing the Blue Economy Handbook for Africa under the auspices of UNECA and led the drafting of Annexes to the African Maritime Charter 2016.

From 2020 to 2022, Dr Ali served as a technical advisor to the Global High-Level Panel on Sustainable Oceans Economy, led by 19 eminent leaders, including the presidents of Australia, Canada, Ghana, Japan, Kenya, Norway, the UK, and the USA.

He holds a PhD, Master of Laws, and Master of Arts degrees in International Maritime Law and International Relations, respectively.

He is also a Barrister of Law, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, and is a graduate of the Ghana Armed Forces Senior Staff College.

He serves as a visiting lecturer at the International Maritime Law Institute, Malta, an external examiner at the World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden, and a Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations Ghana.

A prolific writer, Dr Ali is the author of a book, "Maritime Security Cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea: Prospects and Challenges" (2015), which is considered a leading publication in the maritime field.

He is also a co-editor of a soon-to-be-launched book, "The Law of the Sea: Contemporary Norms and Practice in Africa.