The deputy Minister of Transport, Fredrick Obeng-Adom has emphasised the importance of utilizing the nation's water bodies in ways that support economic development and environmental sustainability.The deputy minister was speaking at the 2024 shipping conference organised by the Ghana Chamber of Shipping in Accra.'The maritime sector is a critical component of our national economy, it serves as a lifeline for trade, connectivity and development. Ghana's position on the West African Coast provides an advantageous gateway for international shipping and trade with our deep sea ports and contributions of fishing, shipping, tourism and marine resource, the potential for growth in this sector is immense,' he said.The conference was under the theme: 'Blue Economy': Local private sector participation in the Maritime space.Chairman of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping, Magnus Addico described the Blue Economy as a forward-thinking evaluation of the long-term benefits that the country's oceans and seas provide to the economy.'It is high time we establish, like some countries have done, a blue economy commission or some kind of committee to purposely coordinate all economic activities related to our oceans and seas,' he added.Vice President of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping, Captain Aaron Turkson, explained the chamber's objectives include the advancement and support for policies that will improve the shipping industry.'The Chamber's primary objectives include promoting and advocating the policies that benefit the shipping industry providing a platform for members to network and share knowledge, facilitating collaboration between industry and stakeholders and supporting the growth and development of the maritime sector in Ghana,' he said.The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Michael Luguje pledged the Authority's commitment to providing infrastructure and services that are adequate for the handling of ships and discharging of cargos.Experienced maritime attorney, Dr. Kofi Mbiah encoura ged the public and private sectors to work together to maximize the benefits of the ocean and its resources."The government has a role to play, the private sector has a role to play. For government, it is important that it comes out with a policy that is backed by a proper legislative framework and also a strategy for harnessing the potential of the blue economy,' he said.He noted that government will have to do this through the private sector, and so government must be prepared to give incentives, prepared to give tax breaks, and prepared to create the necessary infrastructure that allows the private sector to thrive so they can bring the requisite investment in these areas,' he said.Source: Ghana Web