The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in collaboration with the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), has convened a two-day Women in Maritime Security Conference in Monrovia to highlight the importance of gender inclusion and innovation in the maritime sector.
The event was supported by the Government of Denmark through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Integrated Responses to Threats to Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) program, which aims to strengthen maritime governance across West and Central Africa.
Held under the theme, “Steering Towards Progress: Women’s Contributions to Maritime Innovation”, the conference brought together government officials, maritime experts, and international partners to promote women’s participation in maritime leadership and security.
Speaking at the opening, Professor Kwesi Aning, Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research at KAIPTC, said the initiative reflects the longstanding relationship between Liberia and Ghana. “Women’s role in the maritime environment has been consistently overlooked. We must use our shared history to bridge the gender gap and empower women in the maritime sector of West Africa,” he emphasized.
John F. Harvey, Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Vessel Registration and Safety at the Liberia Maritime Authority, commended women’s growing influence in the industry. “Women have profoundly transformed maritime traditions—improving safety, efficiency, and leadership. Their presence in decision-making positions has fostered inclusive workplace policies and better labor practices,” he said.
He disclosed that recent data from the World Maritime University in Sweden showed that women made up 40 percent of the institution’s 2025 graduates—an encouraging sign of progress in maritime education.
Benjamin Serebour, representing the Embassy of Denmark in Accra, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting women’s empowerment initiatives through KAIPTC and international organizations such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). “Denmark remains consistent in promoting women’s inclusion in maritime security and addressing barriers to equality,” he noted.
For his part, Richard B. Kamara, Assistant Minister for Coast Guard Affairs, highlighted the Government of Liberia’s commitment to advancing gender inclusion across all sectors.
Panel discussions at the conference focused on key topics, including promoting gender equality in maritime leadership, addressing cultural barriers, and combating harassment and discrimination in the maritime industry.
Participants included stakeholders from the Government of Liberia, Ghana Maritime Authority, Women in Maritime for West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), and the private sector.
The conference reinforces regional efforts to ensure that women’s leadership and innovation remain central to maritime safety, governance, and development in the Gulf of Guinea region.
