By William Selmah,wselmah@gmail.com
The Head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, Hélène Cavé has underscored the need for the country to step up maritime safety and development.
Ambassador Cavé said measures need to be put in place to prevent the over exploitation of marine resources within the country’s territorial waters.
She was speaking Monday at the launch of the Liberia Chapter of the African Women Maritime Association (WIMAFRICA), as well as the induction and subsequent adorning of the country’s Chapter leaders held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, near Monrovia.
“We must strengthen the security of the waters,” the EU head of Delegation pointed out.
Cavé also spoke of the EU’s preparedness to continue collaborating with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority to enable it carry out its regulatory functions in the country’s maritime sector.
WIMAFRICA comprises of female maritime professionals, leaders and entrepreneurs of Africa’s maritime sector.
It was founded on March 26, 2015 in Luanda, Angola in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The launch of the Liberia Chapter was graced by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who commended stakeholders that contributed to the successful launch of the Liberia Chapter of WIMAFRICA.
Liberia, she noted, has a long history of involvement in the world of maritime, adding, “maritime is important to this country beyond the registry program”.
Through maritime, the former president said, Liberia has over the years gained not only the much needed revenue, but credibility as well.
This country has one the leading shipping registries in the world and even topped that chart at some point in prewar days before being overtaken by Panama in the aftermath of the civil strife (December 1986-2003 August).
Sirleaf also spoke of another headway Liberia has made in its maritime program through the establishment of the Liberia Maritime Training Institute in Marshall, Margibi County, which she described as a state of the art facility.
She wants more women trained for service in various branches of maritime in the country.
The President of WIMAFRICA Jean Chiazor Anishere who performed the induction and adorning of leaders of the Liberia Chapter, said that for many years, Liberia missed out on several opportunities owing to the fact that it has not been operating under an official chapter.
The body, she disclosed, is resolute that “women be given equal opportunity as men and that together we can reduce the marginalization of women in maritime and increase their visibility in Liberia”.
Those inducted as leaders of the Liberia Chapter of the African Women in Maritime Association are Emma Metieh Glassco – President, Yvonne Kaulah Clinton – Vice President, Atty. Shaifuah-Mai Gray – Secretary General and Joyce W. Kumeh – Deputy Secretary General.
Others are Joycelyne S. Davies-Kollie – Treasurer, Elizabeth-Rose Amidjogbe, Esq (candidate for PhD International Fisheries Law) – Auditor and Cllr. Margaret Ansumana – Auditor