Overview

CIMAG was founded as a non-partisan institution, to advance policy thinking on pressing Maritime issues linked to the blue economic challenges.

CIMAG seeks to narrow its research focus on the streams of Maritime Transportation, Maritime Security, Marine Environment and Coastal Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean Governance, Fisheries, Climate Change and Energy/Petroleum, as its thematic areas.

71% of the planet is covered by water. In this vein, the Maritime business community plays a critical role in ensuring growth and international trade/business. CIMAG provides the industry with a platform for policymakers and other stakeholders to engage with players from the Maritime business community.

We exist to proffer solutions for a multi-sectoral industry effort in addressing critical Maritime sustainable development challenges. The private sector is the primary user of the increasingly crowded space, which is 71% of the earth’s surface. Shipping, sea bed mining, ports and offshore oil and gas are reliant on professionals such as lawyers, insurers, shipbuilders, and marine technologists who provide services that keep the sector running. This critical sector generates trillions of dollars per year, by providing goods and services upon which society depends, including transport, offshore energy resources, telecommunications and international business.

CIMAG seeks to complement the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that convenes governments on shipping with industry involvement, including maritime safety and environmental issues. It is a structure developed for the private sector to focus on cross-cutting policies in support of sustainable blue growth. It is a think tank and a catalyst for business opportunities in the industry, promoting and facilitating, networking, dialogue and synergies among its stakeholders.

The Centre’s agenda is to use its work to impact the industry by addressing Maritime/Aviation issues of international interest through extensive cooperation. The Centre engages international and regional researchers, businesses, NGOs, governments and academic institutions in maximizing the gains of international trade.

Vision, Mission and Values

MISSION STATEMENT

CIMA seeks to provide a platform for stakeholder networking, create awareness through ground breaking quality research and advocacy work. CIMA fellows will embrace intellectual curiosity, freedom of thought and expression, producing fresh insight into policy ideas.

VISION STATEMENT

To be a leading research and policy hub on international maritime affairs.

CORE VALUES

Integrity:
To act honestly, boldly and be fair in word and deed.

Accountability:
CIMA will conduct all activities with transparency, be accountable and prudent with funds.

Forward Looking:
To achieve excellence, we will harness best practices and innovation to achieve results. We aim to be known as scholarly, intelligent and wise in our work.

Aims / Objectives

Our aims include but not limited to the following:

Lead policy reforms, conduct research relevant to the thematic areas jointly approved by the Centre and stakeholders in the sector.
The promotion of co-operation with other research Centre’s and the organization of conferences.
The establishment and co-operation with universities and institutions of marine and Maritime Research, Innovation and Technology centers of Excellence.
Providing visibility to the Maritime sector within the region.
Engage in activities to promote the protection of Marine Environment and addressing the challenges related to climate change.
Enhancement of the Maritime axillary and support services including the ship and yacht repair facilities as an essential ingredient of the overall port and marine infrastructure.
Promotion of co-operation in emergency preparedness and exercises among the relevant services. i.e. The Navy, Port Security, Marine Police etc.

Board of Advisors

Mr A.Y. Jim-Fugar

Chairman

Anthony Yao Jim-Fugar is a retired Public Servant. He worked with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for 23 years (1989 – 2012) and has rich experience in the Port and Maritime industry.

At GPHA, he established the Estate and Environment department. He also managed the Tema Fishing Harbour where he chalked a huge transformational success. He retired in the position of a General Manager and acted as the Director-General of the Authority on several occasions in the absence of the substantive DG.

Earlier, he worked as an Estate Manager for the erstwhile State Construction Company (SCC) where he revamped the estate department. Before engaging with SCC Ghana, he served as a Contract Officer with the Federal Government of Nigeria. He was the Federal Lands Officer in charge of landed property acquisition, valuation and management. He was employed as a Pupil Land Officer and ended his contract appointment in the position of a Principal Land Officer. He successfully established and run the Federal Land Office at Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. He attended and participated in several local and international courses, workshops, seminars in areas of port development, operations and management, sustainable economic, social and environmental management, human resource management, financial management, property development, investment and financial consultancy, etc. and had the opportunity to chair some of the local/international conferences.

He served on some boards including Sacred Hearts Hospital Advisory Board and Chairman of Abor Secondary School, Board of Governors for several years.

He holds MBA (Public Administration); BSc (Land Economy) and is a professional associate of the rating and valuation association, UK (ARVA); Chartered Institute of Arbitration, UK (ACIA); Senior Certified Valuer (SCA) of International Institute of Valuers (USA) including certificates/diplomas for short training courses.

Dr. John York Abaidoo

Senior Technical Advisor (Member)

Dr John York Abaidoo commenced his career as a Chief Engineer, Atlantic Tuna Complex, Tema, Ghana. His years as Chief Engineer was characterised by an innovative, positive, and diversified marine engineering and management experience on Ocean-going vessels. His long association with engineering services comprising workshop, civil work, afloat vehicle and other ancillary equipment maximized compliance knowledge of the International Maritime Safety and Pollution prevention regulations. His passion for collaboration and directing research to practical academic benefits for industrial needs started his leading role as Research Officer-Engineering Faculty, ODESSA Higher Marine Engineering School, USSR. As a researcher, Dr York Abaidoo was very instrumental in the development of the Strategic and Operational process for the successful outcomes of research activities. He was appointed Senior Lecturer and Dean of Faculty of Engineering after having served as H.O.D, Port and Shipping Department here at the Regional Maritime University.

Qualification:
PhD Marine Engines, ODESSA, Higher Marine Engineering, USSR
M.Sc. Marine Engines, World Maritime University, Sweden
and the Maritime Safety Administration (Engineering)

Developmental Project/ Contribution/Achievement (s):
Has played a vital role as a lecturer for twenty-six (26) years since 1992 after his ended appointment at Volta Lake, Accra, Ghana.

Publication:
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Development within the Exclusive Economy Zone of the Republic of Ghana (Dissertation presented to W.M.U. 1996).

Valuation of Allowance Working Limits of Diesel Plants in Ships Propulsion Complex ‘MORTEHINFORMREKLAMA’ No. 75% MF 1987.

Integrated Method of Evaluating Working Conditions of Ships Complex TEPLOEXLERGETIKA & HLADATEHNIDA: NIKOLAEV, 1987.

Relative Index Quality Valuation of Technical Exploration of Ship’s Power Plant Installation ‘MORTHINFORMRELAMA’ No 700MF 1987.

Mr. Albert Derrick Fiatui

Executive Director (Member)

ALBERT DERICK FIATUI takes vision and makes it a reality through sound strategy development. He intuitively sees the threads of opportunity that wind through an industry, brings them together into a coherent whole.
Albert earns a seat at the table wherever he serves.

Currently, Albert is the Executive Director at the Centre for International Maritime Affairs, Ghana (CIMAG), an Advocacy and a Research Policy Think-Tank, with a focus on the Maritime Industry (Blue Economy) and general Ocean Governance.

He is a Director in charge of Business Development and HR, Logical Maritime Services Limited, a privately held global logistics company.
He led the business development and strategy for the company into a world-class organization.
Albert began his career in the Maritime Industry as national service personnel with the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, at its headquarters, Tema Port.
Previously, a manager, at Marigold Oil International and a media practitioner.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Port and Shipping (Maritime) Administration from the Regional Maritime University. He also holds an LLB (Law) from the Mouncrest University College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Development Studies from the University for Development Studies. He is a Chartered Member of the (CMILT) at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK. He also holds amongst others, the following Postgraduate Certificates; Certificate in Health Safety & Environment from the MDPI, Certificate of PROFICIENCY in CUSTOMS PROCEDURES & PORT Operations, Certificate/ Training in basic MILITARY skills and Intelligence, Think-Tank and Civil Society Administration.

Albert is a member of the Government of Ghana’s Sector Skills Body (SSB) Logistics and Transport – Commission for Technical and Vocational Education (CTVET).

With extensive Research, Policy and Advocacy backgrounds’, Albert serves on boards both within and without the Maritime Industry.

He is a Consultant and a Maritime Policy Expert.

Mr. Danny Laud

Director (Member)

DANNY LAUD is a seasoned Maritime (Logistics and Supply Chain) professional with regulatory experience who has served in various capacities in the industry for nearly two decades.

A result-driven change agent with passion, including strategic business administration and initiatives.

Danny is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Logical Maritime Services Limited, a privately held global logistics Company.

He provides competent leadership and strategic development plans to advance the organization's vision and mission.
LMS is a force to reckon with as far as the Maritime industry and Port business (Logistics and Supply Chain) are concerned today.

Danny has worked extensively as a business executive with reputable Logistics Companies, where he has acquired the required skills for his current role.

Danny is a Director at the Centre for International Maritime Affairs, Ghana (CIMAG), an Advocacy and a Research Policy Think-Tank, with a focus on the Maritime Industry (Blue Economy) and general Ocean Governance.

He brings to the board extensive expertise and profound knowledge of the sector.

Danny Laud holds an MBA in logistics and supply chain management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. He holds an undergraduate degree (BSc), in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.

Danny is a chattered Logistician (CMILT) from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK, He also holds Postgraduate Certificates in Transport and Logistics from the MDPI, a Certificate of PROFICIENCY in CUSTOMS PROCEDURES and PORT Operations and a certificate in Project Management.

Danny is a member (VEEP) of the Government of Ghana’s Sector Skills Body (SSB) Logistics and Transport – Commission for Technical and Vocational Education (CTVET).

Rev. Gabriel Fiatui

Consultant (Member)

Rev. Dr. Gabriel Fiatui has in-depth experience in entrepreneurship, business development, business advocacy and dialogue, institutional strengthening, youth and women empowerment, and marketing as well as market research activities. Under his supervision and mentorship, micro, small enterprises, including trade association and women-led enterprises and communities have improved on their livelihoods as they move from start-up level to growth-oriented level.

He is an Accredited Business Advocacy (Private-Public Dialogue) Consultant for BUSAC Fund, a multi-million-dollar donor project support for private sector development in Ghana since 2006 and particularly for MSMEs capacity building and development.

Accredited Trainer of Trainers of SEED Eco- Inclusive Enterprise Development Programme under German Ministry for Environment Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
Certified GIZ/CEFE Entrepreneurship Development Trainer for the provision of business development services to the private sector in Ghana.

Rev. Fiatui is an accomplished entrepreneurship trainer/ teacher who has led the design of a number of Training/Teaching Materials, Research on capacity building issues and conducted extensive training/teaching programmes in Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Enterprise Planning, Financial Management, Strategic Management, Marketing, Market Research, Business Policy and Advisory and Monitoring and Evaluation of enterprise activities and Networking as well as Corporate Leadership Skills, to enhance sustainable development of enterprises and private sector organizations in Ghana.

He made Paper presentations in the different forum including students’ in tertiary institutions, business community etc to deepen understanding of entrepreneurship challenges and prospects and economic development.
He has developed problem-solving and competency-based skills and interactive techniques that makes him proficient in project design planning and implementation, teaching, organizational assessment, investment analysis and appraisal, fundraising, proposal development, stakeholder engagement (promoting public-private dialogue), conducting needs assessments, independent research, and facilitating broad base planning to ensure the success of his work.

He has since 2018 initiated “collegian Entrepreneurship program” at Takoradi Technical University to teach students entrepreneurship and prepare their mindset and giving coaching to groom student from the ideas stage to enterprise launch.

Rev. Fiatui is a self-motivated individual, analytical and problem solver with an eye for achievement and willing to accept new challenges. He holds MBA in Marketing from the University of Ghana, Postgraduate Certificate in Enterprise Networking and Regional Development, Japan and Bachelor degree in Integrated Development Studies, University for Development Studies, with several professional training certificates. He has over 16 years of experience in providing business and economic development services.

Yvonne Osei-Tutu, PMP, CISA, CISM, CRISC

Strategic Partnerships and International Development (Member)

Information Security and Technology Risk Management professional with a broad range of experience and technical leadership roles within the financial services and media industries. Experienced in working with diverse groups of technical professionals and business owners, Experienced in risk identification, remediation strategies, control process improvement opportunities. Advise, enforce and monitor enterprise frameworks and methodologies that relate to technology controls standards and information security activities to protect the organization's assets.

• NIST COBIT, PCI-DSS and ISO 27001 RMF
• Governance, Risk and Compliance
• Vendor Risk Assessment
• Technology Controls
• PM Methodologies: PDLC, SDLC, Waterfall & Agile
• Global IT Delivery and Operational Readiness
• Production Support

Certification:
• CISA-Certified Information Systems Auditor
• CISM-Certified Information Security Manager
• PMP - Project Management Professional
• ITILv3 – Information Technology Infrastructure Library

Dr. Bismark Ameyaw, PhD

Director, Research and Advocacy (Member)

Bismark Ameyaw is a professional member of the International Association of Energy Economists, and a reviewer to a number of top-tier international journals. He researches into renewable energies, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and policy issues relating to climate change. He utilizes both econometric and artificial intelligence and machine learning for policy sequencing and proposing pathways to mitigate global greenhouse gas emissions globally. He has garnered experience from diverse fields supervising and assisting funded research projects on renewable energy, environmental sustainability, air pollution, and climate change. Bismark is currently working on proposing carbon emissions mitigation pathways for all the countries in Africa to still hold carbon emissions-related global warming well below 1.5 and 2 °C.

Management & Staff

Mr. William Kwame Adom

Head, Finance

William is endowed with the skills, expertise, knowledge and wisdom in corporate and institutional formation, organization, structuring and management. He is a highly experienced and business minded chartered accountant with extensive knowledge and targets attainment skills in Financial, Risk, Supply Chain, Human capital, System Applications and Investments managements. He has in-depth appreciation in corporate governance and Change management. He has a high appreciation of risk assessment, evaluation and diversification to achieve optimal returns in the phase of dynamic economic conditions. William is a creator of opportunities, success and achiever in both start-ups and well established local and multi-national institutions. He is a dynamic and focused leader with enviable records of team recruitment, development, motivation and targets attainment. William has a great domestic levels negotiator and mediator with immense successful results. All sectors perfectionist is his crown with immense activities and enviable results. He is spiritually, morally, socially, economically and physically well balanced and progressive. Assessing entities and groups yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s operations and performances to decide on whether to continue or change or stop is key for renowned leadership calling and value additions.

Prior to setting up W.K. Adom Consult, William worked with Gbewaa Petrochemicals Ltd in Oil & gas industry, Agricultural Development Bank in the financial sector, Winson Oil Trading Pte Ltd in the oil & gas, John Kay & Associates in the professional services.

William is a member of ICA (Ghana) and a forensic auditor with enormous experience in corporate finance and risk management. He is currently pursuing Professional Law programme at the Ghana School of Law and is also the Chairman of the Audit Committee at the Akatsi District Assembly. William is also left with Strategic Marketing Management to complete the Chartered Institute of Bankers exams to be become a member.

Dr. Amos Oppong, PhD

Head, Policy Modeling & Development

Amos Oppong is a professional member of the International Association of Energy Economists, and a reviewer to several top-tier international journals. His research interests cover energy, environmental science, climate change and adaptation, sustainable cities, and sustained economic growth [at both micros- and macroeconomic levels]. He specializes in utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning in modelling, evaluation, and implementation of workable renewable energy pathways to clean energy for all, and mitigation of greenhouse gases to help achieve climate change objectives. He has rich experience from diverse fields supervising and assisting funded research projects on sustainable urban agglomeration, mining, agriculture, renewable energy, environmental cooperation, social network, air pollution, and climate change. Amos is currently working on research projects regarding development and deployment of real-time, robust, and industry-ready models and technologies necessary for achieving the 1.5°C Paris accord and Sustainable Development Goals.

Jacob Seddoh

Director, Media Product Development

Jacob Seddoh has a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science with courses that focused on office administration, computer applications, and business communications.

He is a successful logistics and transportation professional with extensive experience coordinating shipments, materials, and operations for both import and export deliveries to and from around the world while ensuring compliance with international regulations and guidelines.

Having been an Overseas Shipping Manager with Logical Maritime Services Limited in Tema, for more than 5 years, Jacob supervises most shipping and receiving operations for the company, demonstrating responsibility for end-to-end management of clients' international shipping.

Before his most recent role, he worked for various companies throughout the National Health Insurance Authority (District level), Tema Development Corporation (TDC), and Innovation for Poverty Action serving in the IT departments. His role was monitoring IT network activities, installing and fixing both software and hardware issues, performing extensive system updates, and accurately diagnosing a variety of undetected problems.

He brings to the management, extensive expertise and profound knowledge of the sector, excellent administration skills; has dealt with organizing contracts, doing general admin, and sending marketing material to promote the organization.

Jacob has a love for detailed work and enjoys being organized. He is methodical, accurate, and adaptable, all traits which allow him to embrace change and effectively adjust to new or altered processes.

Kingsley Nketia Acheampong, PhD

Director, IT, Software Engineering & Data Development

Kingsley has gained 10+ years of excellent analytical, problem-solving and coding skills gained in the fields of computer and software engineering. He received the B.S. degree in Computer Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana and the M.Eng. in Information and Software Engineering from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China. Kingsley briefly served as an Applications and Software Engineer, NSS Huawei Technologies, Accra (Ghana) continued his service as a full-time Teaching and Research Assistant in the Department of Computer Engineering, KNUST. He, later, joined the Sun-Data Group, UESTC, as a Data Scientist and NLP researcher in 2016. In pursuit of PhD in Information and Software Engineering at UESTC, his research interests included Cognitive Modeling and Machine Learning for Natural Language Processing, Data Analysis and Analytics and Optimization of Data Structures and Algorithms.

Kingsley is highly skilled in software development, state-of-the-art data analytics and machine learning techniques from development to production levels, I have gained mastery in critical problem discovery and provision of reusable data solutions to enforce high productivity at corporate levels. He is also renowned for participating in many data science competitions such as the ANZ Data Science Competition in which he was awarded the 2nd prize in 2018 and first prize in 2019.

Elements of his current research include Systems Engineering and Development, International Software Development, Advanced-Data Science and Analytics, Development of Real-time Data-driven Predictive Models and Meta-Optimisation of Neural Machine Translation Models.