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RMU holds matriculation for 22nd, 10th intakes
![Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe [fifth from right] with the management Staff of RMU and the Students Photo Okai Eizabeth](https://thespectatoronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mr-Joseph-Bukari-Nikpe-fifth-from-right-with-the-management-Staff-of-RMUand-the-Students-Photo-Okai-Eizabeth-scaled.jpg)
The Regional Maritime University (RMU) held its 22nd and 10th matriculation ceremony for August 2024 and January 2025 intake in Accra on Friday at the University’s Parade grounds.
Overall, 1,220 postgraduate and undergraduate students from both member and non-member countries applied.
Speaking at the Matriculation ceremony, the Ag. Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, Dr Jethro W. Brooks Jnr welcomed the students and urged them to eschew from all forms of indiscipline.
“As you begin your journey in the maritime industry, remember that you have the power to shape the future; therefore be bold, be innovative and committed to excellence” he stressed.
“RMU continues to pride itself as a globally branded university for education, research and consultancy in maritime and allied fields and strives to become the best institution in Africa,” he explained.
The Ag. Vice Chancellor said admission of females into the sea-faring programmes of Nautical Science and Marine Engineering has increased from 35 last year to 96 this academic year.
“This means that the University’s drive of encouraging more females to take up sea-going programmes is achieving good results,” he said.
The Ag. Vice Chancellor called on government to assist the school with its needs such as school health care and maintenance of the school.
He said the university would continue to collaborate with industry to ensure that students gained the exposure and opportunity to be gainfully employed after graduation.
Dr Jethro W. Brooks Jnr stated that the institution continues to prepare the youth for the job market because they are exposed to many opportunities for growth, exploration and innovation.
Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister for Transport, stated that government intends to commission a feasibility study for the development of a coastal water transport system along the coast of Ghana to compliment other modes and integrate sea passenger transport and land-based transport.
According to him, this will support the 24-hour economy policy and develop indigenous businesses in the Maritime and shipping space.
The minister urged the school to inculcate discipline in the students, because academic excellence alone does not guarantee success.
A speech, read on behalf of the matriculants, pledged to abide by the rules and regulation of the school in order to come out with flying colours.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
News
ICU holds Greater Accra regional youth, women confab
The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) on Friday held the Greater Accra Regional Youth and Women’s Conference to build a strategic network.
The conference which brought together representatives of the Union was a great opportunity for ICU Ghana to make its voice heard on policies that were crucial to the development of the country.
The platform was also used to elect new officers for the Greater Accra Branch of The ICU Ghana to mark its 12th National Quadrennial Conference in August.
The General Secretary of the ICU Ghana, Mr Morgan Ayawine, called on government to assist the two state-owned media organisation, New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times newspapers and Graphic Communication Group Limited (GCGL).
“The two state-owned media played major roles in disseminating government policies, educating, entertaining and informing the public of the happenings in the world,” he added.
He said ICU Ghana would also raise issues about the recapitalisation of the two organisations with the sector minister.
Mr Ayawine disclosed that the ADB and NIB banks were also going through the same ordeal but government intervened and urged government to do same for the two state-owned organisations.
He stressed on equal partnership between unions and employers, saying the capital and labour were crucial to create, produce and generate funds.
The General Secretary advised the various branches of the association to suggest solutions on socio-economic issues such as employment for discussions.
The newly-elected members who were sworn in by the General Secretary, Mr Morgan Ayawine includes Belinda Cochrane-chairman, Eric Ekow Turkson-Vice chairman and Moses Kwaku Otoo-Secretary.
Others were Charles Akomea-Financial Secretary, Charles Biden- Executive Member, Diana Asiedu-Women’s Representative and Samuella A. Brago-Youth Representative.
The chairman of the Greater Accra Branch of the ICU Ghana, Belinda Cochrane thanked the leadership for contributing to the success of the union.
She added that the conference was to prepare for the 12th National Quadrennial Conference and also to take stock of the activities of the branch for the past years and discuss issues on the ground.
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Minister for Health holds emergency stakeholder meeting with principals and directors of Health Training Institutions
In a proactive move to strengthen collaboration within the health sector, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has convened an emergency meeting with the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI) across the country.
The meeting aimed to deepen engagement between the Ministry and key stakeholders responsible for training health professionals.
The session provided a platform for open dialogue on the challenges facing health training institutions, the quality of healthcare education, and the strategic direction of human resource development in the sector.
Addressing the stakeholders, Mr. Akandoh emphasized the importance of fostering strong and cordial relationships between the Ministry and training institutions to ensure a well-coordinated and responsive healthcare system.
He indicated that the purpose of the meeting was also to collaborate, discuss concerns, and find practical solutions that would benefit not only the institutions but also the Ghanaian people who rely on the healthcare system.
The President of COHHETI, Madam Margaret Mary Alacoque welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary. She raised concerns about transportation challenges, accreditation delays, staffing shortages, and the general conditions and status of service for Health Training Institutions (HTIs). She also shared innovative strategies that some institutions have adopted to improve training outcomes.
In his response, Mr.Akandoh assured participants of the Ministry’s commitment to addressing their concerns and announced plans to enhance coordination and follow-ups.
He added that the Ministry would soon introduce policy reforms aimed at improving standards in health education and ensuring alignment with national health priorities.
These reforms include reducing the cost of admission, implementing automatic code generation for applicants, and clarifying leadership roles within HTIs.
