GHANA MARITIME AUTHORITY ACT, 2002

(1) There is established by this Act the Ghana Maritime Authority. (2) The Authority is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name. (3) The Authority may, for the performance of its functions, acquire and hold movable or immovable property and may enter into a contract or any other transaction. (4) Where there is a hindrance to the acquisition of property under subsection (3) the property may be acquired for the Authority under the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125).

(1) The object of the Authority is to regulate, monitor and co-ordinate activities in the maritime industry. (2)For the purposes of achieving its object under subsection (1), the Authority shall (a) implement the provisions of the Ghana Shipping Act, 2003 (Act 645); (b) ensure the safety of navigation; (c) fulfil flag state and port state responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner, having due regard to international maritime conventions, instruments and codes; (d) deal with matters pertaining to maritime search and rescue, and co-ordinate the activities of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ports and Harbours Authority and any other body during search and rescue operations; (e) regulate activities on shipping in the inland waterways including the safety of navigation in inland waterways; (f) cause to be investigated maritime casualties and take appropriate action; (g) oversee matters pertaining to the training, recruitment and welfare of Ghanaian seafarers; (h) plan, monitor and evaluate training programmes of seafarers to ensure conformity with standards laid down by international maritime conventions; (i) ensure in collaboration with any other public agencies and institutions determined by the Board of the Authority the prevention of marine source pollution, protection of the marine environment and response to marine environment incidents; (j) pursue the ratification or accession and implementation of international maritime conventions in conjunction with the appropriate Ministry; (k) assess the manpower needs of the maritime sector for national planning purposes; (l) liaise effectively with the Government agencies and institutions that deal with maritime transport and related transport matters for the purpose of achieving harmony in the maritime industry; (m) initiate research into national maritime transport development for effective planning and co-ordination; (n) ensure an efficient, cost effective and orderly provision of services in the shipping industry in line with Government policies; (o) initiate action for the promotion, establishment and development of private shipping lines; (p) advise on policies for the development and maintenance of maritime infrastructure such as ports and harbours in the country; (q) advise the Government on maritime matters generally; (r) regulate the activities of shipping agents, freight forwarders and similar shipping service providers; and (s) to perform functions incidental to the functions provided under this section.