MONROVIA – The 10th Annual Meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) Harbor Masters and Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) Network wrapped up on Thursday, March 3, 2025, with a powerful consensus on the urgent need to boost collaboration and strategic actions to tackle the pressing safety and security challenges faced by regional ports.
During the closing session, Captain Alpha Yayah Bangura, Vice President of the Harbor Masters Networks and Harbor Master of the Sierra Leone Port Authority, presented the official conference resolution. His remarks underscored the critical necessity for member ports to implement integrated strategies that promote continuous knowledge exchange, thereby enhancing port safety and security standards across West and Central Africa.
“This gathering has demonstrated that our challenges are shared, and so too must be our solutions,” Captain Bangura stated. “The path forward lies in stronger cooperation, collective capacity-building, and a commitment to implementing best practices across our port systems.”
Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Commissioner and CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority, delivered a passionate closing address, expressing gratitude to the National Port Authority (NPA) for hosting what he described as a pivotal conference for the advancement of regional trade and security. “The majority of goods entering our nations come through the ports. As such, port safety and security are not optional; they are fundamental,” Lighe remarked, reinforcing Liberia’s commitment to maritime security as a cornerstone of national and regional defense.
Further addressing the assembly, the PMAWCA Secretary General praised Liberian authorities for their warm hospitality and effective organization of the event. He acknowledged the hard work of the organizing committee and support staff, emphasizing the essential role that African ports must play in driving development through trade and commerce.
Mr. James R. Bernard, Deputy Managing Director for Administration of the NPA, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the conference and reiterated the commitment of the NPA to translating the meeting’s outcomes into actionable measures that will lead to safer and more secure ports.
During the event, Captain Samuel Lynch, Harbor Master and NPA representative, also highlighted the importance of equipping ports with the necessary tools and logistics to support transformative initiatives, positioning them as gateways to economic development. “The National Port Authority is dedicated to ensuring that the discussions and resolutions from this meeting lead to concrete actions,” he affirmed.
The Monrovia Meeting not only marks a decade of collaboration among regional maritime authorities under the PMAWCA framework but also reaffirms the critical importance of secure and efficient port operations in driving economic growth across West and Central Africa. As the conference concluded, delegates left with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to a safer maritime environment, essential for the region’s prosperity and stability.
