The 19th Congregation of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) was held with pomp and purpose at the university’s Parade Grounds in Accra, Ghana, under the leadership of Rtd. Col. Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq., the Chair of the RMU Board of Governors and Chancellor of the University, who also serves as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation.

Delivering the keynote address before a gathering of regional dignitaries, diplomats, academic staff, students, and proud families, Ambassador Turay emphasized the urgent need for deeper regional integration in maritime education, training, and governance. He urged West African nations to view RMU not merely as an academic institution, but as a strategic platform for economic cooperation and shared prosperity.

“The seas that connect us must no longer divide us,” Turay said. “The RMU stands as a beacon for harmonizing maritime policies, building professional capacity, and enhancing collective action across our member states. This is not just a graduation—it is a call to regional purpose.”

The Chancellor’s message resonated with the theme of the ceremony, as RMU graduated 372 students—including 66 masters’, 231 bachelors’, and 52 diploma holders. These graduates hailed from various countries across West Africa, reinforcing the university’s vision of unity through shared maritime development.

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Ambassador Turay commended the university’s leadership and stakeholders for maintaining high academic standards and for responding to the evolving needs of the maritime industry. He called for greater investment in research, innovation, and cross-border training to address global maritime challenges such as climate change, piracy, and port inefficiencies.

“Maritime excellence must be pursued with African solutions. From port reform to seafarer welfare, we must equip our young professionals to take the helm with confidence and regional pride.”

RMU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jnr., announced several institutional developments, including a mandatory four-year cadetship program for sea-going students, and significant growth in female enrollment, which rose from 35 to 99 in a single academic year.

“Our cadet regiment has nearly doubled, and our academic programs are evolving to meet global maritime standards,” Dr. Brooks noted. “The RMU is no longer just a training school—it is a full-fledged driver of Africa’s blue economy.”

The event also celebrated the success stories of individual students, such as Monica Nancy Candny, a Liberian who earned First Class Honors in BSc Marine Engineering—a field traditionally underrepresented by women.

“Graduating with First Class in Marine Engineering is not just my personal victory—it is a message to young African girls that they belong here too,” Monica said.

The university also unveiled new facilities, including a GMDSS lab, upgraded simulation equipment, and modern hostels funded by the Government of Liberia. These improvements reflect RMU’s commitment to hands-on training and world-class maritime education.

Ambassador Turay’s role as Chancellor, Board Chair, and Transport Minister from Sierra Leone places him at the crossroads of policy, diplomacy, and education—a position he has used to advocate for stronger intergovernmental support for RMU.

“Let us commit to regional maritime integration—not only in policy but in practice, infrastructure, and human capital,” he concluded. “Only then can our shared maritime future be safe, productive, and prosperous.”

The 19th Congregation ended on a celebratory note with traditional performances, cadet parades, and the ceremonial conferral of degrees—symbolizing the birth of a new wave of maritime leaders ready to chart a unified course across West Africa’s blue frontiers.