Dr. Emmanuel Kofi Mbiah is a distinguished maritime legal luminary, academic, and administrator who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping. With a professional career spanning over four decades, Dr. Mbiah has established himself as a preeminent authority in international maritime law, policy, and port administration, earning a reputation that extends far beyond the borders of Ghana.
His leadership at the Ghana Chamber of Shipping is marked by a strategic focus on institutional strengthening and operational autonomy. He is currently spearheading efforts to ensure the Chamber is “properly grounded” and capable of independent sustainability, while simultaneously advocating for critical industry advancements such as the Maritime Single Window. Under his guidance, the Chamber has maintained vital international links, including its prestigious affiliation with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).
Before his tenure at the Chamber, Dr. Mbiah served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority for 19 years. His 35-year service at the Authority was characterized by transformative reforms that modernised shipping and trade logistics in Ghana. His influence also reached a global scale when he became the first Black person to be elected Chairman of the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a position he held with distinction for six years. Additionally, his leadership in the sub-region was cemented during his term as Chairman of the Union of African Shippers Councils from 2016 to 2017.
Dr. Mbiah’s professional achievements are underpinned by an extraordinary academic record. He holds a PhD in Maritime Administration from the World Maritime University in Sweden and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute in Malta. His multidisciplinary expertise is further complemented by a Master’s in Marine Management from Dalhousie University, Canada, an MBA from GIMPA, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Ghana.
Today, in addition to his role at the Chamber, Dr. Mbiah continues to contribute to the global maritime community as a private legal practitioner and a consultant to the IMO, where he remains at the forefront of developing international maritime legislation.
