The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has rejected claims by Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku that vessel MV Sankofa (IMO No. 7395870) is registered in Ghana.
This follows the MP’s concerns over the M/V Sankofa vessel, which he claims was previously arrested by the GMA in July 2025 for multiple regulatory breaches while operating in Ghana’s territorial waters.
The lawmaker sought to initiate parliamentary probe by questioning the GMA over drug allegations involving the said M/V Sankofa vessel.
In a detailed statement issued on April 22, the Authority clarified that the vessel in question is not registered under the Ghanaian flag and has not been on Ghana’s ship registry since April 23, 2024, when it was officially deregistered after fulfilling all required processes.
The GMA explained that the vessel, originally registered in 1983 as MV KAAS 105, underwent multiple name changes over the years before its eventual deregistration.
It also noted that another vessel previously named MV Sankofa with registration number IMO No. 907855 had similarly been removed from Ghana’s registry in 2021, stressing that no two vessels can share the same name under Ghana’s registry at the same time.
Addressing concerns about the vessel’s activities, the Authority disclosed that MV Sankofa was intercepted by the Ghana Navy in July 2025 within Ghana’s territorial waters.
Subsequent inspections revealed breaches of maritime labour regulations and the Marine Pollution Act, 2016 (Act 932), as well as evidence of false flagging.
According to GMA, the vessel was fined for multiple infractions, including $79,200 for pollution-related violations, GH₵154,800 for labour breaches, and GH₵30,000 for false flagging.
The statemen explained that the vessel was later released in November 2025 after undertaking remedial measures, securing provisional registration in Cameroon, and agreeing to a payment plan.
The GMA further revealed that Senegalese authorities contacted Ghana in March 2026 over suspicions that the vessel was involved in drug trafficking.
However, GMA clarified that the vessel was not Ghanaian, and a subsequent search by Senegalese officials found no illicit substances on board.
The vessel was reportedly operating under Cameroonian registration at the time.
The Authority emphasised that the vessel’s current activities have no connection to Ghana, reiterating that it had been released months earlier and is no longer under Ghana’s jurisdiction.
“It should be stated that the Senegalese authorities subsequently communicated that upon boarding and searching the vessel, no illicit drugs were found. Furthermore, the vessel possessed electronic documents indicating registration under the Cameroonian flag.
“As previously stated, the vessel was released by the GMA and the Ghana Navy in November 2025; therefore, its current presence in Senegalese waters has no relation to Ghana,” GMA stressed.
The GMA also raised concerns about Mr. Awuku’s conduct, noting that “the conduct of the MP is inconsistent and manifesting a deliberate attempt to mar the reputation of the Authority and by extension the Republic of Ghana.”
It further criticised the circulation of what it described as sensitive communications between Ghanaian and Senegalese authorities, warning that such disclosures could compromise international law enforcement cooperation.
“It is deeply concerning that the MP chose to publicise important communication between the Senegalese Authorities and law enforcement agencies in Ghana.
“These correspondences were restricted to a few officials, and the MP has no lawful access to the correspondences. The broadcast of these official communications compromised the law enforcement relationship between two countries, thereby breaching standard protocols of state-to-state security cooperation,” the statement added.
Despite the controversy, the GMA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and indicated its readiness to respond to any Right to Information (RTI) requests and to appear before Parliament if invited.
The Authority assured the public that its operations, including vessel registration, inspections, and enforcement, are carried out in accordance with both national laws and international maritime standards, and pledged to continue safeguarding Ghana’s maritime integrity.
