MONROVIA – Ten Liberians, seven of whom were fully sponsored by the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), were conferred degrees at the 19th Congregation of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra, Ghana, during a colorful ceremony held at the university’s parade grounds on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Their graduation highlights LiMA’s ongoing commitment to human capacity development within the maritime sector.
The ceremony, attended by ministers, diplomats, industry leaders, traditional rulers, and proud families, marked a significant milestone for 372 graduates who earned master’s, bachelor’s, and diploma qualifications across various maritime and engineering disciplines.
Representing Liberia were four Master’s degree recipients in Port and Shipping Administration: Derrick Pehou Barshell, George Duke Brown, Christopher Nyan Mylemon, and Watson Monkalla Chelley. At the undergraduate level, Faith Leo Jackson and Abraham Leeboy Morris earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Nautical Science, while Tawo Pukie Siafolo, Sharon Musulyn Kamara, and Blojay Felix Zeekeh graduated in Marine Engineering. Besetta Gray, who also served as President of the Liberian Students’ Union at RMU, completed a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. She expressed gratitude to the Commissioner/CEO of LiMA, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., for his consistent support.
In his annual address, Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jr. highlighted key developments at RMU, including the launch of new postgraduate programs in Blue Economy and Maritime Law. He also announced the implementation of a four-year mandatory cadetship for sea-going students beginning in the 2025/2026 academic year.
Dr. Brooks commended Liberia for its instrumental role in the construction of a new two-storey student hostel on the RMU campus. He appealed to the Government of Liberia to consider expanding the facility with two additional floors, citing growing demand for maritime education and a notable increase in female enrollment in sea-going programs.
Chancellor and Board Chairman, Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay, praised the contributions of member states, including Liberia, for their steadfast support to the university. He described the graduating class of 2025 as “a beacon of maritime excellence and the future custodians of the global shipping industry.”
During a dinner with the graduates, Commissioner/CEO Lighe, Sr. congratulated them and acknowledged their resilience in the face of challenges. He also informed them that LiMA is actively engaging with industry stakeholders to facilitate placement opportunities.
The ceremony reaffirmed RMU’s growing influence as a center of maritime training in West and Central Africa. It also emphasized the collective commitment of member states, namely Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and The Gambia, to invest in the future of the maritime sector.
