A five day workshop organized by the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in conjunction with International Maritime Organization (IMO) to equip governmental agencies on Port States Control (PSC) matters ended on Friday. The workshop, aimed at providing information on IMO conventions dealing with PSC, was under the theme: "Ensuring maritime safety". The participants were drawn from the GMA, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Ghana Institute of Surveyors and the Regional Maritime Academy (RMA). Issues discussed included the latest sales protocol, IMO model audit scheme, surveys and certification and responsibilities of the port state and regulatory framework. Mr Issaka Peter Azumah, Director General of GMA, said the general overview of the workshop would give the Authority a clear roadmap to guide its activities such as inspections, coordination and exchange of information for effective monitoring, and enforcement of provisions of major conventions dealing with PSC. Mr Azumah said the Authority would ensure that its officers were trained for the PSC office to commence work as soon as practicable, adding that it would also provide the needed logistics and documentation to enhance their operations. "The Authority will also endeavour to send its officers outside the country on attachment programmes at other Maritime Authorities for further implant training". He gave assurance that the Authority was taking measures to ensure that port state sub-standards do not enter the Ghanaian waters. Source: GNA