- GMA Director-General Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali warns Ghana’s ports risk being bypassed without adopting green practices
- Global shipping industry shifting to green fuels as a mandatory requirement
- Urgent investment needed in sustainable port infrastructure
The Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, has cautioned that Ghana’s ports risk a sharp decline in ship traffic if they do not urgently adopt environmentally sustainable practices. He noted that the global maritime industry is rapidly embracing clean energy, and ports that continue to rely on fossil fuels for ship refueling could soon be bypassed by vessels seeking greener alternatives.
Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali made these remarks during a briefing with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transportation, which paid a familiarization visit to the GMA.
He emphasized the need for immediate investment in sustainable port infrastructure to keep Ghana competitive. “You’d be surprised how many fuel tankers a single ship consumes. These large vessels don’t rely on the small amounts we purchase at fuel stations—they require several tankers’ worth. But the world is moving away from that model,” he explained.
He added that the shift to green fuels has broader implications for Ghana’s offshore oil and gas sector, and that adapting is not optional. “Whether we like it or not, the transition is underway. In the coming years, ships will expect access to green fuels—not the current carbon-based options. This shift is being driven by global industry mandates,” he said.
Dr. Kamal-Deen stressed that failure to adapt quickly could jeopardize Ghana’s maritime and economic future. “If we don’t go green soon, many ships will stop calling at our ports,” he warned. He called for urgent collaboration between the GMA, the Ministry of Transport, and the executive branch to accelerate the transition.
The Parliamentary Committee on Roads and Transportation was led by its chairman, Isaac Adjei Mensah, MP for Wassa East in the Western Region.
