In a statement issued on April 22, 2026, the GMA said it had taken note of ongoing public commentary and media engagements by the Member of Parliament for Akwapim North concerning MV Sankofa (IMO No. 7395870).
The Authority explained that the vessel, originally registered in 1983 as MV KAAS 105, underwent multiple name changes before being officially deregistered from Ghana’s ship registry on April 23, 2024, after all mandatory procedures were completed. It added that another vessel previously named MV Sankofa (IMO No. 907855) had also been deregistered in October 2021.
According to the GMA, neither vessel is currently listed on Ghana’s registry, stressing that “no two vessels can bear the same name while on Ghana’s register.”
The Authority also detailed events surrounding the vessel’s detention in July 2025, when it was intercepted by the Ghana Navy within Ghana’s territorial waters. The vessel was escorted to the Sekondi Naval Base for further inspection after its crew claimed it was undergoing sea trials following engine repairs.
Subsequent investigations uncovered breaches of Ghana’s maritime labour regulations and the Marine Pollution Act, 2016 (Act 932), including failure to maintain proper records and evidence of false flagging. The GMA imposed fines totaling $79,200 for pollution violations, GH₵154,800 for labour infractions, and GH₵30,000 for false flagging.
However, the Authority noted that suspicions of illegal commercial activity were not substantiated, preventing the imposition of a heavier penalty that could have reached $1 million. After partial payment of fines and the acquisition of provisional registration documents from Cameroon, the vessel was released in November 2025.
On March 23, 2026, Senegalese authorities contacted the GMA to verify the vessel’s status following suspicions of drug trafficking. The Authority said it promptly clarified that the ship was not Ghanaian-registered and disassociated the country from its activities.
A subsequent search by Senegalese officials reportedly found no illicit drugs on board, while documentation indicated the vessel was operating under a Cameroonian flag.
The GMA further raised concerns about the conduct of Mr. Awuku, accusing him of abandoning formal parliamentary channels in favour of media commentary that it said misinformed the public and undermined the Authority’s credibility.
It also criticized the circulation of official correspondences involving Senegalese authorities, describing the move as a breach of protocol that could strain security cooperation between states.
Despite these concerns, the GMA reiterated its readiness to engage Parliament and confirmed it would respond to a Right to Information request submitted on the matter.
The Authority assured the public that its operations comply with national and international maritime standards and pledged to continue executing its regulatory mandate in the interest of Ghana.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
