Ghana and Denmark have signed a renewed agreement designed to deploy fashionable know-how on the Volta Lake to find out secure navigational channels to cut back accidents and their attendant deaths.
The agreement is a part of the third part of the Strategic Sector Collaboration (SSC) between the 2 international locations within the maritime sector.
This part of the undertaking might be funded at a value of 10 million Danish Kroner, equal to GH¢11 million, to run from 2022 to 2025.
In line with the agreement, consultants from Denmark have commenced a satellite tv for pc imaging undertaking on the lake to derive information to assist in mapping out the navigational hazards on the lake.
Signing
The Director-General of the Danish Maritime Authority, Andreas Nordseth, signed on behalf of Denmark, whereas the Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Thomas Alonsi, signed on behalf of Ghana.
Speaking on the ceremony, Mr Nordseth indicated that the renewed agreement supplied a framework for the Danish authorities to reinforce the capability of Ghanaian pilots and tugboat captains on the Tema Port.
Similarly, he mentioned, it could additionally improve the supervision of maritime coaching, schooling and certification and considerably enhance the enforcement of maritime regulation.
He identified that Denmark was additionally working on competency amongst fishermen, trying on the worldwide authorized framework and construction.
“We stand committed and look forward to further strengthening collaboration with the various partners in Ghana’s maritime sector,” Mr Nordseth mentioned.
Safety key
The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori-Asiamah, counseled the Danish authorities for their steady assist, saying the Volta Lake remained considered one of Ghana’s transport routes that strengthened the provision chain.
“We cannot develop a first-class port in the sub-region without looking at how best the Volta Lake could be used in enhancing trade,” he mentioned.
While commending the GMA for eradicating tree stumps that served as conduits for accidents on the lake, he mentioned the authority nonetheless lacked the capability to finance additional enchancment works to achieve the required safety degree.
“We are, however, happy that in the third phase of the Maritime Sector Collaboration between our two countries, the mapping of the lake has come up as a major priority. I am happy it will also be supported by the cracking of stones within the lake,” Mr Ofori-Asiamah mentioned.
Background
In addition to the deployment of know-how on the lake, the Danish authorities, by its maritime authority, will accomplice the GMA and different key points of trade, with the intention of contributing to the inexperienced transition by the discount of emissions from vessels allowed into the nation’s ports.
The phases one and two of the SSC undertaking, carried out from 2015 to 2021, noticed, amongst others, improved compliance with worldwide maritime regulation by constructing a well-functioning Quality Unit for the GMA.
It additionally noticed the constructing of the capability of officers of the GMA to implement a top quality auditing system for inner and exterior audits and for its officers to conduct audits of recognised organisations (RO) in Ghana.
Denmark’s help on digital options for secure navigation additionally helped the Ghanaian Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System (VTMIS) Centre to develop a system for standardised regulation of maritime safety info for the good thing about business transport in Ghana.