By Joseph Momoh, Reporter D.S
Accra, Ghana – The 19th Congregation of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) took place with great ceremony at the university’s Parade Grounds, led by Rtd. Col. Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq., the Chair of the RMU Board of Governors and Chancellor of the University, who also serves as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Turay highlighted the critical necessity for enhanced regional integration in maritime education, training, and governance. He urged West African nations to regard RMU not merely as an academic institution but as a strategic platform for economic collaboration and shared prosperity. “The seas that connect us must no longer divide us,” Turay stated. He described RMU as a beacon for harmonizing maritime policies and building professional capacity across member states, declaring, “This is not just a graduation—it is a call to regional purpose.”
The ceremony celebrated the graduation of 372 students, including 66 master’s, 231 bachelor’s, and 52 diploma holders, from various countries in West Africa, reinforcing the university’s vision of unity through maritime development. RMU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jnr., announced several institutional advancements, such as a mandatory four-year cadetship program for sea-going students and a significant increase in female enrollment, which rose from 35 to 99 within a single academic year.
“Our cadet regiment has nearly doubled, and our academic programs are evolving to meet global maritime standards,” Dr. Brooks emphasized, asserting that RMU has transitioned from a training school to a key driver of Africa’s blue economy.
The event also recognized the achievements of individual students, including Monica Nancy Candny from Liberia, who earned First Class Honors in BSc Marine Engineering. “Graduating with First Class in Marine Engineering is not just my personal victory—it is a message to young African girls that they belong here too,” Monica remarked.
Furthermore, RMU unveiled new facilities, including a GMDSS lab, upgraded simulation equipment, and modern hostels funded by the Government of Liberia, demonstrating the university’s commitment to providing hands-on training and world-class maritime education.
Ambassador Turay, in his multifaceted role, advocated for stronger intergovernmental support for RMU, stating, “Let us commit to regional maritime integration—not only in policy but in practice, infrastructure, and human capital. Only then can our shared maritime future be safe, productive, and prosperous.”
The day concluded with vibrant traditional performances, cadet parades, and the ceremonial conferral of degrees, symbolizing the emergence of a new wave of maritime leaders poised to navigate West Africa’s blue frontiers.
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