Accra, April 22, – The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has clarified that the vessel MV Sankofa (IMO No. 7395870) is not a Ghanaian-flagged ship, stressing that it has been officially removed from the national ship registry since April 2024.
In a statement, the Authority said all maritime operations, including vessel registration, inspections, and enforcement, are carried out strictly under national laws and international maritime standards.
The clarification follows public and media discussions triggered by comments from Samuel Awuku, Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, regarding the vessel’s status and activities.
The GMA explained that the vessel, originally registered in 1983 as MV KAAS 105, underwent several rebranding and ownership changes before its deregistration, after the owners completed all required procedures, including surrendering its Certificate of Ghanaian Registry.
It added that another vessel with a similar name, MV Sankofa (IMO No. 907855), had also previously been registered under the Ghana flag but was deregistered in October 2021 after fulfilling all statutory requirements.
“The Authority wishes to state clearly that neither vessel is currently on Ghana’s register and therefore neither is a Ghanaian-flagged vessel. Our registry does not permit two vessels to operate under the same name simultaneously,” the statement noted.
According to the GMA, MV Sankofa (IMO No. 7395870) was later sighted in Ghana’s territorial waters on July 18, 2025, during routine naval patrols, prompting joint inspection by the Ghana Navy and maritime regulators.
The inspection reportedly uncovered breaches of maritime labour rules and the Marine Pollution Act, 2016 (Act 932), including missing statutory records and evidence of false flagging.
Sanctions imposed on the vessel included fines of $79,200 for pollution-related violations, GH¢154,800 for labour-related breaches, and GH¢30,000 for false flagging.
The Authority noted that although initial suspicions suggested possible commercial activity within Ghanaian ports, investigations did not confirm such operations, preventing the imposition of a higher penalty that could have reached $1 million.
Following corrective actions by the vessel operators, including acquisition of a provisional Cameroonian registry certificate and partial payment of fines under a structured plan, the vessel was released in November 2025.
The GMA further disclosed that Senegalese authorities later contacted Ghana in March 2026 seeking verification of the vessel amid suspicions of illicit activity. Ghana responded that the vessel was not registered locally and disassociated itself from its operations.
Subsequent checks by Senegal reportedly found no narcotics on board, though the vessel was found to be carrying electronic documentation indicating Cameroonian registration.
The Authority said it had received a Right to Information request on the matter and would respond through appropriate channels.
GHBUSS
April 22, 2026
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