Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Kitack Lim, has called for enhanced cooperation among coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea to tackle the rising piracy and sea-borne crime in the region.
“International shipping is suffering. Piracy and armed robbery continue to damage the economy and trade.
This situation has continued for several years, and these illegal acts must be stopped, and now is the time to make real progress,” he remarked at the launch of WIMOWCA, a new IMO association for women in maritime in Accra.
Commenting on the new association, the IMO boss said there was the need for diverse and well-trained workforce to make shipping work.
“Indeed, for sustainability and success in the modern world, shipping needs diversity in the workforce and we need women to drive the decision-making processes.
Women in the maritime world today are strong, powerful, and constantly challenging old-fashioned perceptions,” he said.