Speaker details

Biography

Dr. Godfred Sowah Khartey is a distinguished expert in ocean governance and environmental sustainability with over 12 years of professional experience, including 7 years in the marine and maritime sector. He is the Founder and Consulting Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Sustainability, Marine and Maritime Affairs (CESMMA), a policy-driven think tank advancing sustainability, ocean governance, climate-resilient maritime infrastructure, and inclusive blue economies across Africa. He holds a PhD in the Law of the Sea from Xiamen University, China, where his research, Climate Change in the Context of the Law of the Sea: Challenges and Legal Responses, addressed legal gaps and strategic interventions to mitigate climate impacts on maritime jurisdictions. He also holds a Master’s in International Relations from Xiamen University, a BA in Political Science with Chinese from the University of Ghana, and a professional certificate in Data Analytics from MIT. He is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the Africa Leadership University (Rwanda). Dr. Khartey contributed to the Implementation Plan of Ghana’s National Integrated Maritime Strategy (NIMS), a blueprint for unlocking Ghana’s blue economy potential and enhancing coordinated ocean governance. He is engaged in research on safe maritime transport and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction within the IMO decarbonization agenda, and he explores the nexus between e-mobility and maritime transport to integrate clean energy technologies in port and shipping operations. A former Research Fellow at the Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa), he has shaped national and regional maritime security frameworks and advised on sustainability and corporate governance as Manager in the Office of the Director-General at Ghana’s State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA). An accomplished speaker, Dr. Khartey has addressed global forums on ocean governance, maritime sustainability, climate action, and regional cooperation. His publications and policy briefs have contributed significantly to Africa’s maritime policy discourse. With a passion for research, innovation, and collaboration, he remains committed to advancing the global climate and ocean agenda through thought leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic action.