The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has commenced an IMO Model Course 3.12 Workshop for Certificate of Competency (CoC) Seafarer Certification Examiners, as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s maritime training, examination and certification systems.
The workshop is being held from today, Monday, August 24, 2026 to Thursday, August 28, 2026 at the Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) Hall of the Regional Maritime University (RMU).
The IMO model course 3.12 is a regional training programme on assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers
The initiative is aimed at enhancing the professional competencies of assessors, examiners and instructors responsible for evaluating and certifying Ghanaian seafarers.
The course is designed to equip maritime professionals with appropriate assessment methodologies, examination procedures and competency-based evaluation techniques aligned with international requirements.
Speaking to GoldNews Reporter on the margins at the workshop, officials of the Ghana Maritime Authority said the exercise forms part of the Authority’s broader strategic efforts to ensure that Ghana’s seafarer certification regime remains consistent with international best practices.
“The objective is to strengthen the competencies of our assessors, examiners and instructors so that they are able to conduct assessments and examinations in a fair, transparent and internationally acceptable manner.”
The Authority further stressed that the quality of maritime professionals depends significantly on the effectiveness of the systems used to train, assess and certify them.
“When we strengthen the people who assess and certify our seafarers, we strengthen the entire maritime safety chain. Our certification processes must give confidence not only to Ghanaian stakeholders but also to the international maritime community.”
The workshop is also expected to deepen participants’ understanding of the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
The STCW framework establishes international standards for the training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers, while the IMO’s model courses serve as tools to help Member States and maritime training institutions develop and improve training programmes.
The GMA’s decision to intensify training for its assessors and examiners comes as the Authority continues to pursue reforms aimed at improving Ghana’s maritime education and certification regime.
Earlier in June, the Authority announced that all GMA-accredited assessors would undergo the mandatory STCW-related IMO Model Course 3.12 training as part of reforms to strengthen seafarer training and examination standards.
The workshop is therefore expected to contribute to greater consistency and credibility in the conduct of competency assessments and examinations, while ensuring that Ghanaian seafarers continue to meet internationally recognised professional standards.
“Our commitment is to produce competent, well-trained and properly certified seafarers who can compete and work confidently anywhere in the world.”
The Ghana Maritime Authority is expected to continue investing in capacity building and institutional reforms as it works to position Ghana as a strong maritime hub in the region and ensure that its seafarer certification systems remain responsive to evolving international standards.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
