The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has achieved another major milestone in its human capacity development program as thirteen (13) Liberian students sponsored by the authority successfully completed their studies and graduated from the prestigious Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra, Ghana.
The 20th graduation ceremony, held on the morning of Saturday, June 27, 2026, celebrated the successful completion of master and bachelor degree programs by the LiMA-sponsored students after two and four years of study. Their achievement reflects the authority’s sustained investment in developing a highly skilled maritime workforce capable of serving both Liberia and the global maritime industry.
Commenting on the milestone, the Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., described the graduation as a significant step toward achieving the authority’s strategic objective of expanding training opportunities for young Liberians and producing qualified maritime professionals to meet the growing demands of the global shipping industry.
According to Commissioner Lighe, Liberia’s status as one of the world’s leading maritime nations places a responsibility on the authority to continuously develop competent professionals who can contribute to the country’s maritime sector and the international maritime community.
“This milestone, which has seen thirteen Liberians sponsored by the Liberia Maritime Authority graduate from the Regional Maritime University with master and bachelor degrees in various disciplines, is a testament to our commitment to developing a competent maritime workforce for Liberia and the global maritime industry,” Commissioner Lighe said.
He congratulated the graduates for their dedication and academic excellence, urging them to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired to advance Liberia’s maritime sector while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
According to him, as custodian of the world’s largest ship registry, Liberia recognizes that sustained investment in human capital is essential to maintaining its global maritime leadership. Through scholarship opportunities, professional training, and strategic partnerships with institutions such as the Regional Maritime University, Commissioner Lighe highlighted that LiMA continues to expand the pool of qualified Liberian maritime professionals equipped to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
The graduation of these thirteen scholars is more than an institutional achievement—it is an investment in Liberia’s future. As they embark on their professional journeys, they carry with them not only academic credentials but also the responsibility of contributing to the growth of Liberia’s maritime sector and strengthening the country’s reputation within the international maritime community.
The graduates, who earned Master of Arts in Port and Shipping Administration, are Geneve T. Bantu, Jeremy George, Booker Dabowoe Harvey, Jr., Jenevee Jacobs, Aloysius W. Kpogbah, Willimina Zoe Varney, Esmond Ceidee Wulue, Dorgas Diggs, Boima Macdonald Freeman, George G. Kiadii, Siaffa Abu Konteh, and Curtis Payne.
Also graduating under the LiMA scholarship program were Spurgeon Clarence Capehart, master’s degree in International Shipping and Logistics; Tokpah James, Jr., bachelor of science degree in Marine Engineering (honors); Emric Howard, bachelor of science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (honors).
Delivering remarks during the university’s 20th congregation, Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Jethro W. Brooks, Jr. disclosed that a total of 368 students graduated with master degrees, bachelor degrees, and diplomas across various academic disciplines.
The graduation of the LiMA-sponsored students further demonstrates the authority’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Liberia’s maritime human resource capacity through strategic investment in education and specialized training. By empowering young Liberians with internationally recognized maritime qualifications, LiMA continues to position the country to maintain its leadership in the global maritime industry while creating opportunities for Liberians to compete successfully in the international maritime labor market.
Having completed two-year master’s and four-year bachelor’s degree programs in specialized maritime disciplines, the graduates now join a growing cadre of highly trained Liberian professionals prepared to contribute to both the national and global maritime sectors.
