The Minister for Transport, Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has officially assumed the role of Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Regional Maritime University (RMU), following a handover ceremony held in Accra on Friday.
The ceremony, held during the University's 35th Board of Governors Meeting, marked the official transfer of the Chancellorship from the Republic of Sierra Leone to Ghana after Sierra Leone successfully completed its two-year tenure.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Nikpe expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chancellor, Amb. Alhaji Fanday Turay, Sierra Leone's Minister of Transport and Aviation, for his exemplary leadership and dedication to preserving RMU's status as a premier maritime education and training institution on the continent.
He commended Sierra Leone for leaving behind a solid foundation on which Ghana would build, reaffirming Ghana's commitment to sustaining and strengthening the University's legacy.
"Ghana is committed to maintaining and improving upon the gains made over the years while ensuring the sustainability of the blue economy," he stated.
He pledged to work closely with all member states to promote the University's growth and long-term sustainability.
"Together, we can build the Regional Maritime University into the best maritime institution in Africa and among the finest in the world," he said.
Mr Nikpe expressed confidence that, through collective effort, the University would overcome its current challenges and continue to fulfil its mandate of producing highly skilled maritime professionals for Africa and the global shipping industry adding that "we will overcome every obstacle as one family managing this University."
"President John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana believe RMU should remain a centre for the development of Ghana's youth and the African continent," he stressed.
As the host country, he assured member states of Ghana's commitment to supporting the University's growth, enhancing its financial sustainability and deepening collaboration with all stakeholders.
"Our vision is for RMU to continue producing quality maritime professionals who will drive economic growth and enable Africa to fully harness the opportunities within the maritime sector," he added.
Mr Nikpe also welcomed Guinea-Bissau as the newest member state of the RMU.
The outgoing Chancellor, Amb. Alhaji Fanday Turay, expressed confidence in Ghana's leadership, describing the country as a capable custodian of the University's future.
He highlighted several achievements recorded during Sierra Leone's tenure, including a nearly 30 per cent increase in student enrolment, renewed confidence in RMU as a leading maritime institution, strengthened financial stability, the securing of research grants and the development of a roadmap towards the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor.
Amb. Turay urged all member states to continue supporting Ghana's leadership to further transform the Regional Maritime University into a world-class centre of maritime excellence.
