Maritime Law expert Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali appointed acting D-G of Ghana Maritime Authority
He is a retired Naval Captain with extensive service in the Ghana Navy and has practiced law for 26 years, specializing in maritime law.
.jpeg)
Dr. Kamal-deen Ali, a seasoned maritime law expert, has been named the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).
Bringing a wealth of experience from academia, maritime governance, security, and international relations, Dr. Ali’s background uniquely positions him for the role. He is a retired Naval Captain with extensive service in the Ghana Navy and has practiced law for 26 years, specializing in maritime law.
Before his appointment, he led the Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa), a policy advisory organization working across seven African nations. His influence in the maritime sector was recognized in 2023-2024 when he was listed among the top 50 figures shaping Africa’s Blue Economy.
Dr. Ali makes history as the first industry professional to assume the role and become the fourth Director-General since the GMA's establishment. His expertise extends beyond Ghana, having worked as a consultant in countries such as Nigeria, The Gambia, and South Africa.
Dr. Ali is a visiting lecturer at the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta, an external examiner at the World Maritime University in Sweden, and a Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations Ghana.
An accomplished writer, he authored Maritime Security Cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea: Prospects and Challenges (2015), a widely regarded publication in maritime security. He is also a co-editor of the upcoming book, The Law of the Sea: Contemporary Norms and Practice in Africa.
His career highlights include serving on Ghana’s legal team for the maritime boundary dispute with Côte d'Ivoire, drafting the Ghana Maritime Offences Bill, and playing a key role in the formulation of the National Integrated Maritime Strategy. Additionally, he contributed to the development of the Blue Economy Handbook for Africa under UNECA and played a pivotal role in drafting annexes to the African Maritime Charter in 2016.
Between 2020 and 2022, Dr. Ali served as a technical advisor to the Global High-Level Panel on Sustainable Ocean Economy, which included presidents from Australia, Canada, Ghana, Japan, Kenya, Norway, the UK, and the USA.
His academic credentials include a PhD, Master of Laws, and a Master of Arts in International Maritime Law and International Relations. He is also a Barrister-at-Law, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, and is a graduate of the Ghana Armed Forces Senior Staff College.