By Amos Harris
ACCRA, GHANA — The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has achieved another milestone in its ongoing human capacity development program following the successful graduation of thirteen sponsored Liberian students from the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra, Ghana. The scholars were officially honored during the university’s 20th Congregation Ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2026, after completing intensive master’s and bachelor’s degree programs over two-year and four-year periods. This latest academic achievement underscores LiMA’s sustained investment in building a highly skilled maritime workforce capable of advancing both Liberia’s domestic industry and the international shipping sector.
Reflecting on the achievement, LiMA Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., described the graduation as a major step forward in the Authority’s strategic mission to expand specialized educational opportunities for young Liberians. He noted that as the manager of the world’s largest ship registry, Liberia bears a unique responsibility to produce qualified, competent professionals who can strengthen national capacities while contributing significantly to global maritime commerce.
Commissioner Lighe expressed immense pride in the graduates, stating that the successful completion of these diverse academic disciplines stands as a testament to LiMA’s commitment to the global maritime labor market. He warmly congratulated the scholars for their academic excellence and dedication, urging them to apply their newly acquired knowledge with the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and public service. He emphasized that these scholarships and strategic partnerships with premier institutions like RMU represent a vital investment in Liberia’s economic and industrial future.
The cohort of graduates included twelve professionals who earned Master of Arts degrees in Port and Shipping Administration: Geneve T. Bantu, Jeremy George, Booker Dabowoe Harvey Jr., Jenevee Jacobs, Aloysius W. Kpogbah, Willimina Zoe Varney, Esmond Ceidee Wulue, Dorgas Diggs, Boima Macdonald Freeman, George G. Kiadii, Siaffa Abu Konteh, and Curtis Payne. Joining them were Spurgeon Clarence Capehart, who earned a Master’s Degree in International Shipping and Logistics; Tokpah James Jr., who obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors in Marine Engineering; and Emric Howard, who received a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
During the ceremony, RMU Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jr. disclosed that a total of 368 students graduated with master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and specialized diplomas across various maritime disciplines. The graduation of the Liberian contingent further cements LiMA’s role as a proactive driver of higher education and specialized technical training, equipping young citizens with internationally recognized qualifications that enhance their competitiveness on the global stage. Armed with these rigorous credentials, the graduates now join an elite corps of trained Liberian professionals poised to support the country’s continued leadership in international shipping.