Welcome To WISTA Ghana

WHAT IS WISTA

The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association is an umbrella organization of women in management positions involved in maritime transportation business and related trades worldwide.

WISTA aims to be a major player in attracting more women to the industry and supporting women in management positions. Through networking, education and mentoring in focus, we believe we can enhance members’ competence and empower career success.

WHY WISTA

It is said “ to be a woman in a male-dominated industry has never been easy and getting to the top is even harder still.  This is why women in the maritime world need a voice.  WISTA fills that need. WISTA today is in more than 62 countries with over 5,100 individual members.

WISTA GHANA

WISTA Ghana is an association of professional women in the maritime industry.  It was established in June 2009 with the sole aim of promoting the development of women in the maritime industry. WISTA Ghana is the third in Africa after Nigeria and South Africa and more recently Egypt.

WISTA Ghana was officially inaugurated on 22nd July 2010 by the Hon. Deputy Minister for Transport, Mrs. Dzifa Attivor.  The Hon. Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs. Juliana Azumah, in her statement, endorsed the initiative of WISTA Ghana and assured the association of the commitment of the Ministry to collaborate with it in all its endeavours to ensure the active economic participation of women in the shipping industry in Ghana. She said even though the maritime industry is male-dominated, it is worth noting that women are gradually taking opportunities in the industry and are actively participating to promote the contribution of the industry to national development.

Other dignitaries present who offered their support, advice, encouragement were the Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Mr. Kofi Mbiah, the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mr. Nestor Galley, Mr. Peter Azumah Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority.  Other included Mr. Alok Asamoah, Rector of the Regional Maritime University, the Sector commander, Tema Mr. Wallace Akondor, the Managing Director, Mediterranean Shipping Co, Mr. Phillipe Lestrade, and other shipping executives in the industry.

WISTA Ghana’s membership is from both the public and private sectors of the maritime industry and is gradually growing. WISTA Ghana believes that women in top position are few even though there are well qualified and therefore aims at encouraging women to rise to the occasion and be counted as partners in the industry.

THE OBJECTIVES OF WISTA GHANA

a)    To promote the role of women in the maritime industry.

b)    To monitor the participation of women in the industry and issue reports and bulletins thereon.

c)    To engage in the publication of books, magazine, periodicals, newspapers and pamphlets on the maritime industry.

d)    To raise the level of awareness about the maritime industry in Ghana by organising workshops, seminars, symposia, public talks, and lectures.

e)    To sponsor and/or support programmes and/or activities aimed at promoting and/or propagating the interest of women in the maritime industry

g)    To co-operate with other similar organizations/Associations in and outside Ghana in the promotion of maritime activities.

h)    To provide training in relevant shipping courses both local and overseas for the benefit of its members as well as mentors