Collaboration key to promoting equity – British High Commissioner

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The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, has highlighted the importance of collaboration among women in the maritime sector in order to promote equity.

According to her, the way to make it work is doing it together. “In order to achieve as much as you possibly can, collaboration is key.”

The High Commissioner made this known at an engagement with a section of women in maritime at her residence in Accra, as part of activities to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration.

The celebration, put together by the Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA) in collaboration with the UK Department of Transport and British High Commission, was themed ‘Embrace equity – women in maritime with focus on maritime security’.

The event brought together women from the diaspora, Nigeria, Eastern and Southern Africa, and various women maritime associations in Ghana; such as the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA-Ghana); Women in  Maritime Africa (WIMA-Ghana); Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT); and Women in the Maritime Sector in Eastern and Southern Africa (WOMESA); and other maritime agencies including the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority and Regional Maritime University.

High Commissioner Thompson explained that equity is about recognising all those years of baggage and thinking about the positives, the proactive steps they need to take in order to overcome all of that and really create equal opportunities for both men and women.

Minister of Transport Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Director of the ministry, Irene Messiba, said it is not only fundamental to achieve inclusive participation, but also more importantly remove all structural and systemic barriers which impede women’s promotion in the global maritime ecosystem.

He commended all women for their remarkable contributions toward growth and development, particularly in the maritime sector, and also commended the British High Commission as well as WIMOWCA for organising the event.

“Indeed, you are our inspiration and the maritime industry is better-off with your bold initiatives and participation, especially at leadership levels,” the minister said.

“The important role that women play in realising the economic benefits of Africa’s blue economy cannot be overemphasised. Indeed, I am very inspired by how much more women can contribute when the right conditions are created to facilitate not only their participation in this industry, but more importantly their sustained career growth and development in the maritime ecosystem,” he added.

Mr. Ofori Asiamah underscored the need to change the status quo by encouraging women’s participation at all levels: “It is obvious that sustainable development of the blue ocean economy requires effective management of diversity within the maritime domain. Our encouragement of women’s participation in the maritime industry must therefore go beyond flamboyant rhetoric to ensuring that timely interventions are implemented at all levels.

“Women are engaged in all aspects of interaction with our ocean, yet their voices are more often than not crowded out – especially at the decision-making levels. This status quo must change. We must ensure diversity and gender inclusiveness at all levels to set a balanced course for humanity,” he added.

President of Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, said women historically face significant barriers to entry into the industry. In recent years, fortunately, the industry has made some progress in promoting gender diversity and inclusion, she added.

Ms. Dauda Owu urged women to come together to promote gender diversity and inclusion in the industry, in order to create a more vibrant and successful maritime sector for the benefit of all.

“As women, we have unique perspectives, skills and talents that we can bring to the maritime industry. We need to be proactive in seeking out opportunities to enter and advance in the industry. We must also continue to support and mentor each other as we navigate our careers in this sector,” she said.

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