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EVENT SUMMARY
The Blue Careers and Business EXPO 2021 was intended to create multiple opportunity-exchange platforms for young people to interact with maritime industry leaders and contribute to a robust blue economy in Africa. The 2-day conference platform was also be used to initiate a mentorship program to be co-managed by GoGMI to foster career development among the participants of the conference. In-depth panel discussions, network sessions and exhibition of maritime businesses further highlighted this exposition as the premier strategic gathering of Ghana’s maritime industry leaders and organisations, related ministries, maritime businesses and young people.
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About the Event
Attendance
Hosted at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre, the Expo was attended by over 200 people, including high profile personalities, maritime industry practitioners, students and other relevant stakeholders. Present were Her Excellency Kati Csaba, High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu, Chief of Naval Staff, Ghana Navy, Hon. Kathleen Quartey Ayensu, Special Rapporteur for Piracy and Maritime Security for the AU Commission, and Mr. Tukur Mohammed the Maritime Security and Safety Programme Officer of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), who joined the meeting virtually.
Exhibitors from the maritime industry mounted stands to introduce participants to varying opportunities within Ghana’s blue economy and to showcase their innovative products, services and maritime solutions. These included Consolidated Shipping Agency Ltd, SIC Life Company Limited, Plastic Punch, Centrepoint Supply Chain Solutions Limited, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, WISTA Ghana, SOKO Aerial Robotics, Odomankoma Maritime News Agency, Regional Maritime University (RMU) and the Ghana Navy.
Presentations, Panel Discussions
One of the primary differentiators of the Expo was a series of panel discussions and presentations that sought to expose participants to topical issues centered on Africa’s blue economy and equip them with requisite knowledge necessary to prime them to be at the fore of innovation and change within the maritime industry.
Day One of the event was kicked off with goodwill messages from some dignitaries present, and a highly insightful keynote address. The first presentation set the pace for the rest of the Expo with the topic, Blue Economy Opportunities for Youth in Ghana, and was corroborated by the following panel discussions:
The panel discussions were highly engaging, with youth showing keen interest in all three discussion areas. The exhibition tours and coffee breaks were characterised by high levels of cross-interaction among the various categories of participants present, with the youth actively engaging in dialogue with experts an industry practitioners.
Day two of the event commenced with an in-depth presentation on SWAIMS and Gender in the Maritime Space, as well as the following panel discussions:
The day’s activities also included the launch of Ghana’s Blue Business Directory, a GoGMI innovation intended to provide an online repository of businesses and opportunities within Ghana’s maritime industry and blue economy space.
VVIPS
H. E. Kati Csaba
Canadian High Commissioner
to Ghana
Mr. Tukur Mohammed
Programme Officer, Maritime Security and Safety, Economic Community of West Africa States, ECOWAS
Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu
Chief of the Naval Staff, Ghana Navy
Hon. Kathleen Ayensu Quartey
Special Rapporteur on Piracy
and Maritime Safety, African Union
Dr. Kofi Mbiah
Maritime Consultant
Just the Beginning…
The Expo was not intended to be an isolated event, but the first in a series of events aimed at grooming African youth to drive innovation and positive change in the continent’s maritime industry. The funding and support of the Canadian High Commission was inimical to the success of the event. The Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute looks forward to further deepening and strengthening collaboration with the Commission towards future events in line with this ultimate vision.
