Empowerment Of African Youths, Women, MOWCA Scribe Calls On Continent Leaders To Effectively Use Blue Economy Drive As Alternative
By Raheem Ibrahim
The Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr Paul Adalikwu has called on African leaders to effectively make use of Blue Economy drive as a viable alternative to empower youths and women in their respective countries.
During his recent visit to the Vice- Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Communication and Unlocking Routes, Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), His Excellency Jean Pierre Bemba, the MOWCA SG emphasized that the sustainability of African economies lie in productive engagement of her teeming youth population and women in many areas including maritime transportation either as micro entrepreneurs, professionals and artisans.
He said, “the unexplored and untapped benefits from marine related commercial activities such as seafaring fishing, under water engineering, oil exploration and other activities in the varioon maritime activities as a way to expand their level of economic emancipation.
According to him, “MOWCA wants to promote the Blue Economy initiative by creating jobs for Women and the Youths particularly in Coastal Countries like DRC. African Development Bank had keyeSaid MOWCA,like the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and is strongly committed to helping its Member States achieve the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 which focuses on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls”.
“MOWCA is working on facilitating professional network and mentorship programme to bridge the generational gap between aging maritime professionals and younger ones where knowledge transfer could be achieved in addition to formal training obtainable at the maritime training institutions”, he revealed.
He however commended the Vice Prime Minister for granting the MOWCA delegation audience and congratulated him on his recent appointment as he gave an overview of his strategic visions and action plan for the 25 member country body since his assumption of office.
Adalikwu also applauded DRC for being a key member and very supportive to the advancement of MOWCA’s vision and mission over the years;
While presenting engagements with Organizations such as- IMO (Signed Joint Action Plan), AFREXIM BANK, AFDB, AFCTA, AU, ECOWAS, ISCOS, ECCAS, ICC Yaoundé amongst others, he disclosed that the recent workshop on how to prevent Inland Waterway accident was organized by MOWCA /IMO/ IMRF in Gabon on 15th to 18th July 2024 and commended the Minister for approving Experts from DRC who attended meetings organized by MOWCA.
