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Stakeholders gear up for 2nd Blue Economy Conference
All is set for the much-anticipated second (2nd) International Blue Economy Conference (IBEG-2025) scheduled for February 19-21, 2025 in the Republic of The Gambia.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, the Gambia in collaboration with the Regional Maritime University(RMU) in Accra and the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute,Tanzania,the conference would be held under the theme, “Harnessing the Blue Economy: Leveraging for Innovative and Sustainable Development”.
According to a press release issued in Accra, the conference forms part of efforts to bring together international stakeholders to share ideas on promoting the blue economy to subsequently lead development across the continent, by tapping into prospects within the industry.
It added that, the conference would seek to bring together partners to promote the innovative and sustainable use of the blue economy within the context of maritime security, safety and development and to establish a platform for knowledge sharing, networking and capacity building among stakeholders and partners, leveraging innovative and sustainable development.
Keynote speaker for the conference, it announced, would be the President of the Republic of The Gambia, Mr Adama Barrow as well as several high-profile dignitaries including the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of MOWCA Dr Paul Ikongshul Adalikwu and ministers from across the continent would be in attendance.
Other speakers it said include, the Minister for Blue Economy, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Mr Shaaba Othman, Prof. Dr Moenieba Isaacs of the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies School of Economics and Management Sciences University of the Western Cape, South Africa, Managing Director Adept Blue Economic Solutions, Kenya, Dr Nancy Kairaria and Former Chief of Staff, United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Africa and Managing Director Centric Digital-Ghana, Dr Aida Opohu-Mensah.
“The rest are, Director General Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Tanzania,Mr Ismael A. Kimirei, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Tanzania Dr Salum Soud HAMED, Maritime Law Consultant, Dr Emmanuel Mbiah and former Vice Chancellor, University of The Gambia Prof. Dr Felixtina Jonsyn-Ellis,” it added.
“There would be other sub-themes for discussion including Sustainable fisheries and Aquaculture (Offshore and Coastal Fisheries), Ocean Renewable Energy, Eco-tourism and Marine Conservation, Blue technology and Innovation, Ocean Governance and Policy, Maritime Legislation as well as Climate Resilience and adaptation,” it stated.
In addition, it said, would be conversations on Sustainable Shipping and Transportation, Development of Coastal Infrastructure, Environmental Sustainability, Sectorial and Institutional Linkages, Maritime Safety and Security, Decarbonization of Maritime Transportation, Marine/Coastal Tourism and Hospitality, Marine Digitalization and Marine Artificial Intelligence (AI in Maritime).
“Other areas to be tackled would be Oil and Gas, Marine Technological Innovation, International Cooperation in the Maritime Sector, Maritime Transport and Port Development, Marine Biotechnology, Climate Change and Coastal Resilience and Digital Transformation in the Blue Economy,” it stressed.
Ultimately, the conference would offer a huge opportunity for Africa to take advantage of the huge potentials within the blue economy to foster development.
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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The Ghana Bar Association must be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties – Dominic Ayine urges
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its duties.
He said the credibility of the legal profession would be at risk if the bar allowed itself to be influenced by political interests.
Speaking at the GBA 2025/ 2026 annual general conference, Dr. Ayine reminded members that their first allegiance was to the Constitution and the Republic, not to any government or opposition party.
He stressed that for over three decades, the GBA had played an important role in helping the Supreme Court interpret and enforce the law, but outside the courtroom, its advocacy had often lacked consistency.
Dr. Ayine pointed to past cases such as the 2015 petition against the former CHRAJ Chairperson, Loretta Lamptey, and the 2017 petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, where the bar remained silent.
He noted that the association only found its voice during the petition against former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a stance he said coincided with the position of the opposition.
He questioned why the bar acted differently in those situations, especially since all three cases involved women of repute who held positions in key constitutional bodies.
Dr. Ayine urged the GBA to be the conscience of the republic, saying lawyers must defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of citizens regardless of which political party was in power.
He warned against inviting foreign interference in Ghana’s constitutional matters, saying international collaboration should be limited to professional exchanges and not politics.
He further encouraged the GBA to promote integrity among its members, strengthen pro bono services to support the poor, and embrace digital reforms such as e-filing and electronic court records to modernize the justice system.
According to him, the destiny of Ghana is tied to the integrity of the legal profession.
He added that if lawyers stand firm, the country will also stand firm, but if they falter, the republic will stumble.
By: Jacob Aggrey
