West African Maritime Leaders Chart New Course for Cooperation as RMU Expands in Freetown

Freetown, Sierra Leone — November 6, 2025: After three days of deliberations by the Committee of Experts, ministers and maritime leaders from across West and Central Africa convened in Freetown today for the 34th Board of Governors’ Meeting of the Regional Maritime University (RMU), reaffirming their collective commitment to strengthening maritime education, innovation, and cooperation in the region.

The meeting brought together senior officials from the six member states of the University: Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, The Gambia, and newly admitted Guinea-Bissau, along with representatives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA).

Delivering the opening address, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation and Chairman of the RMU Board, Hon. Alhaji Fanday Turay, expressed gratitude to Liberia for its continued leadership and tangible contributions to the University’s development.

He praised the completion of a modern 50-bed dormitory built and donated by the Government of Liberia at the RMU campus in Accra, Ghana, a facility that, he announced, is now fully occupied by students.

Speaking at the ceremonial opening, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner/CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), reaffirmed Liberia’s unwavering support for RMU’s mission to build a highly skilled African maritime workforce.

He highlighted Liberia’s contributions to the University’s growth, including infrastructural development and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Port Authority (NPA) and RMU to enhance training in port management, cargo handling, digital transformation, and environmental compliance.

Commissioner Lighe urged member states to modernize curricula, embrace digital learning, and expand research capacity to ensure RMU remains a centre of excellence capable of meeting global maritime standards. “The RMU must continue to stand as a beacon of specialized higher education, fostering transformation and unlocking opportunities in our region’s maritime sector,” he said.

He also reaffirmed Liberia’s candidacy for re-election to Category ‘A’ of the IMO Council, pledging to maintain a strong African voice within the organization’s highest decision-making body. “Liberia stands ready to continue being a champion for Africa at the IMO,” he declared.

A major highlight of this year’s session was the formal induction of Guinea-Bissau as the sixth member state of the RMU Board, a milestone that expands the University’s regional footprint and strengthens its governance.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Mr. Marciano Silva Barbeiro, Minister of Transport of Guinea-Bissau, the Permanent Secretary expressed his government’s commitment to fully honor the responsibilities arising from its membership and to work with other member states to ensure that RMU continues to serve as a benchmark for academic and scientific excellence, innovation, and African cooperation.

He thanked member states for unanimously welcoming the Republic of Guinea-Bissau into the RMU, describing the move as a gesture of solidarity and a testament to the region’s shared vision for growth within the African maritime family.

The Board’s discussions are expected to focus on governance, funding, and strategic partnerships to ensure RMU remains a cornerstone of maritime training in Africa.