There is currently a growing level of interest to increase and improve the participation of women in the Ports, Shipping and Maritime Transport Industry globally and nationally.
At a recently held 6th Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Africa Region Conference in Ghana, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Kitack Lim, said a baseline data for women development, needs to be created assuring that his outfit is committed to the progress of women as the World Maritime University has provided a platform where the capacity of women is enhanced in various fields of the maritime industry.
In Ghana, the President of the Republic appointed the first-ever female Director of the Port of Tema to oversee Ghana’s largest commercial Port, which is the Port of Tema.
The government and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority continue to encourage the creation of more space for women in policy and decision making positions in various business communities to help bridge the gender gap in the sector.
From this background, the Port Ladies Association of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has officially unveiled a new dress code and uniform for ladies within the organization to uplift their image and confidence in undertaking their duties within the Industry.
The Port Ladies Association (PLASS) of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority which has been in existence for over twenty-two (22) years has the core objective to encourage ladies to make influential contributions into the Port and Maritime Industry.
Officially, unveiling the new uniforms for the Port Ladies, the first female Director of the Port of Tema, Mrs. Sandra Opoku, herself, a member of the Port Ladies Association (PLASS) said the new uniforms will help the ladies exude confidence in the service delivery at the Port and give a brighter image of ladies who work within the Industry.
“Henceforth, this is how our Ladies would look. This new look will inspire confidence and set you on a new stage to deliver efficiently for GPHA and for Ghana”, Mrs Sandra Opoku echoed.
The new uniforms display GPHA traditional colours, blue and yellow but in a milder shade and come with a different tailoring style. There are two separate uniforms, which were unveiled.
One, which has a yellow shirt beneath a blue jacket would be worn on Mondays and Tuesdays and the other, a blue shirt beneath, the same blue jacket, worn on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Fridays are expected to be open for African wear.
The Director of the Port of Tema said, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has a greater goal to encourage the growth of women within the Port Industry. Thus, changing the look and feel of the ladies in the industry is just a first step towards a bigger vision to empower the ladies in the Port and Maritime Industry.
“Please dress properly to suit your corporate institution. How we look would symbolize the seriousness we attach to our jobs” Mrs Sandra Opoku inspired the ladies.
The President of the Port Ladies Association of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Phillipa Amanda Armah, said the new uniform symbolizes newness, and pride of the women who toil in the Port Business to drive the industry.
“We want you to wear it with pride and happiness. We have chosen what would make us look smart, in our various fields. This will help us to move with the trends within the industry and the corporate world,” The PLASS President joyfully expressed.
The Ladies were entreated to wear the uniforms with decency and conviction to match the corporate image of GPHA and bear in mind that they are carrying the image of the entire country on their soldiers.