By: Sampat JMB Kpakimah
The Liberia Maritime Authority on Monday joined the global community in celebrating the 2026 International Day for Women in Maritime with a colorful program held at the Monrovia City Hall, where several outstanding Liberian women in the maritime sector were honored for their contributions and achievements.
The celebration began on Friday, May 15, 2026, with a career mentorship and awareness workshop for female students, and continued on Monday with a march from Nine Street, Sinkor, to Monrovia City Hall. It brought together women from the security sector, students, international guests, government officials, maritime stakeholders, and development partners under the global theme, “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence.”
Among the highlights of the ceremony was the honoring of distinguished women who have made significant contributions to maritime governance, safety, security, environmental protection, and leadership in Liberia and internationally.
The main honoree of the event was Margaret C. Ansumana, Deputy Commissioner for Maritime Affairs at the Liberia Maritime Authority.
Cllr. Ansumana is recognized as Liberia’s first female maritime lawyer and a seasoned maritime legal expert and negotiator with more than two decades of experience in ocean governance, maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental administration.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from the University of Liberia, an LLB from the Louise Arthur Grimes School of Law, and a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Maritime Law from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute.
Since joining the Liberia Maritime Authority in 2006, Cllr. Ansumana has served in several strategic roles, including as Liberia’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization. Over the years, she has represented Liberia at major international forums involving the IMO, International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), negotiating bilateral maritime transport agreements on behalf of the Liberian Government.
Organizers praised her for mentoring several young Liberian women and men in the maritime sector, many of whom now hold leadership positions within the industry. Other women honored during the ceremony included Grace Maweaha Vaye Nuhn, a maritime safety and environmental administration expert with approximately 22 years of experience, Fatu M. Shaw, Associate Director for Maritime Intelligence and Investigation at the Liberia Maritime Authority, and Mrs. Metieh-Glassco who holds a Master of Science degree in Maritime Affairs with emphasis in Ocean Sustainability Governance and Management from the World Maritime University in Sweden,
Among others are Yvonne Clinton, Deputy Commissioner for Ship Registration at the Liberia Maritime Authority, and Ms. Debbie Porlee Cooper
Ms. Debbie Porlee Cooper is a maritime, security, and policy professional, who currently serves as the Director for Policy Compliance & International Relations at the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) Among others were recognized.
Delivering the keynote address, Geraldine George, Minister of National Defense, spoke on the global theme, “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence.” Minister George said the observance serves as a reminder of the remarkable achievements of Liberian women who continue to break barriers across various sectors, including maritime.
According to her, excellence knows no gender, and there is a need for greater commitment toward creating opportunities for women to thrive within the maritime industry. She noted that the global theme resonates deeply with Liberia’s aspirations for inclusiveness, equal participation, and sustainable national development, while encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in maritime and other traditionally male-dominated professions.
Meanwhile, the Women in Maritime for West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA) Liberia Chapter, in collaboration with the National Port Authority, National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Liberia International Ship and Corporate Registry, National Oil Company of Liberia, and partners, officially commenced activities marking the celebration with a Career Mentorship Workshop for female senior high school students held at the National Port Authority Auditorium, Freeport of Monrovia, Bushrod Island.
Delivering her remarks, WIMOWCA Liberia Chapter President, Olivia Tah-Johnson, said the initiative reflects a collective commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering the next generation of women leaders in the maritime sector.
“It is my honor to be here celebrating the International Day for Women in Maritime celebration hosted by the Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa in collaboration with our implementing partners and sponsors,” Madam Tah-Johnson stated.
She explained that the event began on Friday with career awareness and mentorship training which was intended to expose young women to the diverse career opportunities available within the maritime industry, including ship navigation, marine engineering, maritime law, ocean science, fisheries, port management, and logistics.
According to her, shockingly 99 percent of young people in the room remain unaware of the maritime sector and the vast opportunities given despite the industry serving as the backbone of global trade, transporting between 80 and 90 percent of the world’s goods by sea. Madam Tah-Johnson emphasized that the celebration goes beyond policy discussions and seeks to create practical pathways for women and girls to actively participate and excel in maritime professions.
She further disclosed that under her leadership, the WIMOWCA Liberia Chapter envisions making maritime awareness programs sustainable through partnerships with organizations including UNICEF and UNESCO to introduce maritime education in Liberian high schools.
“This will help children learn about the ocean, understand how to preserve it, and take action against pollution and plastic waste,” she explained.
The WIMOWCA President also extended appreciation to implementing partners including the Liberia Maritime Authority, National Port Authority, Liberia International Ship and Corporate Registry, National Oil Company of Liberia, and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, as well as sponsors including APM Terminals and Maersk Lines for supporting the initiative.
Representing the Liberia International Ship and Corporate Registry, Mr. Abraham Avi Zaidenberg highlighted the longstanding relationship between LISCR and the Liberian Maritime Program.
He disclosed that more than 7,000 ships are currently registered under the Liberian registry, making it one of the largest and most respected ship registries in the world.
Also speaking at the program was Darlington Cheeks, Chief of Office Staff of the Liberia Maritime Authority, who represented Commissioner/CEO, Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr.. Mr. Cheeks underscored the critical role women continue to play in strengthening the maritime sector and stressed that teamwork remains essential to achieving institutional and national success.
The celebration reaffirmed the commitment of the Liberia Maritime Authority and its partners to promoting gender equality, empowering women in maritime, and fostering an inclusive environment where women can excel and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Liberia’s maritime sector.
The celebration indicates that the International Day for Women in Maritime was proclaimed by the International Maritime Organization through Resolution A.1170(32), adopted during the organization’s thirty-second session. The observance, celebrated annually on May 18, aims to promote the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the maritime sector while reinforcing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Five on Gender Equality.
