The Kish Shipping Line (KSL), the biggest Iranian shipping line, has appealed to the government to sign a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Malta to enable qualified Ghanaian seafarers to be recognised in Malta.
It said the agreement was necessary to ensure that Ghanaian seafarers were allowed on Maltese flag.
This came to light when a representative of KSL, Captain Reza Aghaei, paid a courtesy call on the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, during a five-day visit to the country.
Captain Aghaei said KSL owned 90 ships, majority of which sailed under Malta's flag, adding that Ghanaians could be allowed to work under the Malta flag only when the country had an agreement with Malta.
He said although Ghanaian seafarers were duly recognised by Iran, they risked being repatriated to Ghana, as they did not have the necessary permit to work in Malta.
He explained that because there was no agreement, Ghanaian seafarers with qualified certificates were being denied access, adding that they needed to obtain another certificate abroad to sail under the Maltese flag.
For his part, Nii Ashietey said because Ghana did not have adequate vessels to train its seafarers after they had obtained their certificates, it was prudent that the country signed the agreement.
He said the move would increase employment and create avenues for marine employment.
Nii Ashietey commended KSL for being the main employers of Ghanaian seafarers for over 20 years and urged the Ghana Maritime Authority not to hesitate in its efforts at speeding up the necessary documentation needed to sign the agreement.
Addressing the concerns of KSL, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr E.T. Mensah, assured the company that the government would bring other stakeholders together to have the agreement signed to create more jobs for Ghanaians.
Captain Aghaei also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, and other government officials.
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