The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has strongly pushed back against public claims by Samuel Awuku regarding the vessel MV Sankofa, clarifying that the ship is not registered under Ghana’s flag and distancing the country from its activities.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Authority said it had taken note of “continued public commentary” by the Akuapem North MP and expressed concern over what it described as attempts to misinform the public.
According to the GMA, the vessel in question, MV Sankofa (IMO No. 7395870), was originally registered in 1983 under different names but was officially deregistered from Ghana’s ship registry on April 23, 2024, after completing all required processes.
It added that another vessel previously bearing the same name had also been deregistered in 2021, stressing that neither vessel is currently Ghanaian-flagged.
The Authority detailed that the vessel was intercepted by the Ghana Navy in July 2025 within Ghana’s territorial waters and escorted to Sekondi for inspection.
Investigations uncovered violations of maritime labour regulations and the Marine Pollution Act, including poor record-keeping and false flagging. The vessel was subsequently fined:
- $79,200 for marine pollution breaches
- GH₵154,800 for labour violations
- GH₵30,000 for false flagging
The ship was later released in November 2025 after partial payment of fines, corrective measures, and proof of registration under Cameroon.
Senegal incident clarified
Addressing recent developments, the GMA said Senegalese authorities contacted Ghana in March 2026 over suspicions the vessel was involved in drug trafficking.
The Authority said it promptly clarified that the vessel is not Ghanaian, and Senegalese officials later confirmed that no illicit drugs were found on board.
The GMA criticised Samuel Awuku for what it described as inconsistent conduct, accusing him of abandoning formal parliamentary processes in favour of media engagements that “cast unnecessary aspersions” on the Authority.
It also raised concerns over the alleged circulation of sensitive communications involving Senegalese authorities, warning that such actions could undermine international law enforcement cooperation.
Commitment to transparency
The Authority reaffirmed its readiness to engage Parliament on the matter and pledged to respond to a Right to Information (RTI) request submitted on the issue.
It maintained that all its operations, including vessel registration, inspections, and enforcement, are conducted in line with national laws and international maritime standards.
The GMA stressed that its actions are guided by the national interest and reiterated its commitment to upholding integrity and regulatory oversight within Ghana’s maritime sector.
