Ghana and Canada have signed an agreement to recognise each other's seafarer certificates of competency. A certificate of competency (CoC) is the licence that lets an officer work in a rank, for example as master or engineer. The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 5 November 2026. The signing took place at IMO headquarters in London.
Capt. (Rtd.) Dr Kamal-Deen Ali signed for Ghana. He is Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA). Joanna Manger signed for Canada. She is Director-General of Marine Safety and Security at Transport Canada.
What the agreement says
The agreement is made under Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention. This rule lets a country accept certificates issued by another country. Each country must first be sure that the other one trains and certifies seafarers to STCW standards.
Ghana's High Commission in London shared a statement on the deal. It says qualified Ghanaian seafarers get a way to have their certificates recognised in Canada. This is subject to Canada's own certification and endorsement rules. The two administrations will also work together to check that certificates are genuine.
Splash247 reports that the announcement does not say when applications under the agreement can start. As of 7 November 2026, Ghana is not yet on Transport Canada's public list of countries with a reciprocal arrangement.
How the Canadian process works today
Transport Canada explains its process for countries already on its list. These include the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Panama and Norway. Canada does not issue a new certificate. It gives a Canadian endorsement that recognises the foreign STCW certificate. With this endorsement, the seafarer can serve on a Canadian-flag ship.
A Canadian authorised representative must sponsor the seafarer. This is the person responsible for the ship, usually the shipowner or operator. The seafarer cannot apply alone.
The authorised representative applies to Transport Canada for the seafarer.
Transport Canada sends a confirmation of receipt. With it, the seafarer can work on one named ship for three months.
Officers at management level complete a familiarisation on board. The authorised representative then sends it to Transport Canada.
Transport Canada then issues the Canadian endorsement.
Canada has signed several similar deals recently. Earlier this week we reported that Finland and Canada agreed to recognise each other's STCW officer certificates.
What it means for Ghanaian officers
Nothing changes yet. Wait for Transport Canada or the GMA to say that applications can start. Ghana should then appear on Transport Canada's list.
Keep your Ghanaian CoC and STCW certificates valid. A Canadian endorsement depends on a valid national certificate.
You need a job offer first. Only a Canadian company with a Canadian-flag ship can apply for you.
Do not pay anyone who promises a Canadian endorsement or a Canadian job for a fee. Under the MLC, seafarers must not pay for recruitment. Check any offer with the GMA.
Compare pay before you decide. See Chief Officer salaries on Crewboard for current rates in one senior rank.
Find official certificate checks and help lines in Crewboard's useful links.
Cover photo: Ships off Sekondi-Takoradi harbour, Ghana, in March 2014. Illustrative photo, not linked to this agreement. Photo: Kees Torn/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Sources: Splash247: Ghana and Canada sign seafarer certificate recognition agreement (7 Nov 2026), GhanaWeb: Ghana and Canada sign landmark agreement on mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates (statement shared by Ghana High Commission, London), 3News (source: Ghana Maritime Authority): Ghana and Canada sign landmark agreement on mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates (6 Nov 2026), Prime News Ghana: Ghana, Canada sign agreement to open new employment pathways for seafarers, Transport Canada: Canadian endorsement attesting the recognition of a foreign certificate through a reciprocal arrangement.
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