IMO Briefing: 50, November 22, 2013 – Dr. Thomas A. Mensah of Ghana, former President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Legal Affairs and External Relations Division at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has been awarded the prestigious International Maritime Prize, for his significant contribution to the work of IMO.
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Koji Sekimizu presented the award, a sculpture in the form of a dolphin, to Dr. Mensah, during a special ceremony at IMO Headquarters (on Thursday, 21 November 2013) at the end of the first day of the 27th extraordinary session of the IMO Council.
Dr. Mensah was nominated for the prize by the Government of Ghana and has been recognized for his contribution to the aims and objectives of IMO throughout a distinguished career in international maritime affairs, over many years, as a specialist in public international law, the law of treaties, shipping law, the international law of the sea and international environmental law.
The nomination highlighted Dr. Mensah’s long career at IMO (initially as head of the Organization’s newly-formed Legal Affairs Division and then as Assistant Secretary-General) followed by his appointment as a Judge at the newly-established International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) , from 1996 to 2005. He was also elected as the first President of the Tribunal, from 1996 to 1999.
Dr. Mensah and the Honourable Mrs. Dzifa Attivor, Minister for Transport of the Republic of Ghana, also addressed the audience at the ceremony. The High Commissioner for Ghana, His Excellency Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo also attended the ceremony.
International Maritime Prize
The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by IMO to the individual or organization judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of the Organization. It consists of a sculpture and includes a financial award, upon submission of a paper written on a subject relevant to IMO.
