By- Mahmoud Kamara
Government Information Officer-Ministry of Transport and Aviation
Atlantic Lumley Hotel Freetown, Sierra Leone 6th November 2025
Sierra Leone has once again demonstrated its growing influence in regional maritime affairs as it successfully hosted the 34th Session of the Board of Governors of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Freetown. The landmark meeting saw the Republic of Guinea-Bissau formally inducted as the sixth member state of the institution, joining Liberia, Ghana, The Gambia, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone.
The high-level session brought together ministers of transport, maritime administrators, and representatives from international organizations to discuss maritime education, capacity development, and regional cooperation across West and Central Africa.
In his keynote address, Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, welcomed delegates on behalf of President Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, describing Guinea-Bissau’s admission as a “historic milestone” in RMU’s 42-year history.
“Today’s gathering marks a new chapter in African unity,” Minister Turay stated. “The inclusion of Guinea-Bissau reflects our collective commitment to regional integration, maritime excellence, and shared development.”
Minister Turay commended the Liberia Maritime Authority for donating a 50-bed hostel to the university and lauded Sierra Leone’s own contribution of a modern video conferencing facility to support remote learning. He further thanked the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, and his ministry for organizing the meeting within a tight three-month schedule after other member states were unable to host.
Representing The Gambia, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, hailed Sierra Leone’s hospitality and praised RMU’s management for steering the university through challenging times. He emphasized the need for equitable participation among all member states, especially the newly admitted Guinea-Bissau.
Liberia’s Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, reaffirmed his country’s ongoing commitment to the RMU, highlighting a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between the National Port Authority of Liberia and the university to boost training in port management, environmental compliance, and digital transformation.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, announced fresh partnerships aimed at expanding maritime training opportunities. These include a $1.3 million grant from Indonesia to support capacity building and collaboration with the Singapore Maritime Authority for technical training programs.
Representing Ghana, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport, reaffirmed his government’s support through the construction of a modern Auditorium and Lecture Hall Complex at the RMU campus in Accra part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the university’s academic infrastructure.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments from all member states to enhance maritime education, research, and professional development across the sub-region.
With Guinea-Bissau’s inclusion, the Regional Maritime University now stands as a six-member consortium dedicated to advancing Africa’s blue economy, regional integration, and global maritime competitiveness.
